Instructional Lab Specialist

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-Madison invites applications for an Instructional Lab Specialist I in the General Chemistry program. This role supports undergraduate chemistry education by overseeing the General Chemistry Stockroom, coordinating supplies, safety, and student workers, and working with teaching assistants and faculty.

Responsibilities include preparing chemicals, maintaining equipment, supervising staff, developing safety protocols, and assisting in instructional program operations,

Qualifications

• Technical knowledge for safely preparing and measuring chemicals and handling procedures.
• Ability to interact effectively with students, teaching assistants, and staff.
• Experience or familiarity with laboratory safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist with acquisition, preparation, and organization of lab supplies and equipment.
• Provide safety and lab material assistance to students and teaching assistants.
• Supervise, train, and manage undergraduate assistants and student workers.
• Develop and maintain safety protocols and staff notes for experiments.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment used in instructional labs.
• Oversee stockroom operations and inventory.
• Participate in trainings and committee activities related to the instructional program.

Skills

Chemical handling

Lab safety

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related discipline

Tools

Inventory databases

Computer literacy

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Teaching, Learning, and Technology Specialist I

Job Summary

This position plays a key role in supporting excellence in undergraduate general chemistry education. The Instructional Lab Specialist works with the senior instructional lab specialist and lab directors to oversee the General Chemistry Stockroom. The specialist also provides oversight of student workers and works closely with dozens of teaching assistants and thousands of students. This position is responsible for the preparation and storage of chemicals, supplies, and instrumentation used in the general chemistry instructional laboratories.

The instructional lab specialist will also:

• Assist with the acquisition, technical preparation, and organization of laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment used in the instructional laboratories of the Department of Chemistry
• Support and participate in the educational mission of the Department of Chemistry by directly providing safety and laboratory material assistance to students and teaching assistants in the instructional laboratory
• Support the operations of the instructional program by participating in various trainings and committee meetings
• Assist in the supervision, training, and management of undergraduate assistants, hourly student workers, and temporary employees
• Develop and maintain safety protocols and staff notes for experiment preparation
• Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, and instrumentation used in instructional laboratories
• Oversee stockroom operations and inventory

This is a second shift position, with a typical schedule of 12pm to 9pm, Monday through Thursday, and 12pm to 6pm on Friday.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Assists with the design and development of engaging, effective learning experiences which may be face-to-face, blended, and/or online
• Completes initial edits, reviews, and updates of existing instructional materials
• Provides support for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and disseminating data to identify instructional program needs and enhance effectiveness
• Contributes to researching, designing, and/or acquiring learning resources, technologies, materials, and/or processes to support learning
• Assists with providing basic training and technical support to learners in settings such as classrooms, labs, clinics, and distance learning mediums
• Assists with the design and development of multimedia learning materials
• Provides consultation, training, and/or support for learning technology tools and platforms
• Provides support for faculty development and engagement programs and activities
• Analyzes, tests, troubleshoots, resolve issues, and provides feedback regarding learning technologies

Department

College of Letters and Science, Department of Chemistry

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $53,000 up to $63,000 annually, for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Required Qualifications

• Technical knowledge associated with safely preparing and measuring properties of chemicals, as well as special handling, storage, and disposal requirements for both chemicals and equipment
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with students, teaching assistants, lab directors, external service providers, and fellow stockroom personnel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with maintenance of current state-of-the-art laboratory practices, protocols, instrumentation, and equipment
• Ability to write clear instructional notes and technical documents explaining laboratory techniques and set-up procedures for the purpose of preparing experiments in an instructional setting
• Knowledge of computer operations (e.g., Windows/iOS) and inventory database upkeep

Education

Bachelor's Degree preferred, in chemistry or a closely related discipline, such as biochemistry or molecular biology

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre‑employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on‑campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.