Instructional Lab Tech

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California is seeking a Laboratory Support Technician to prepare solutions, reagents, and materials for scheduled experiments and demonstrations, set up and test workstations, and provide routine technical support for instructional labs. You will assist with pre-testing experiments and maintain lab equipment and safety standards.

Responsibilities include proper handling and disposal of chemicals, inventory management, and maintaining clean, secure laboratories.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or technical training required.
• Minimum 1 year in instructional/academic lab environment or equivalent.
• Experience with chemical solutions, reagents, and materials following safety protocols.
• Experience operating and maintaining lab equipment and data-acquisition systems.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety, hazardous-waste procedures, inventory management.
• Ability to organize and prioritize lab activities and communicate with students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare solutions, reagents, equipment, and materials for scheduled experiments and demonstrations.
• Set up, test, and break down laboratory workstations and provide routine technical support before, during, and after sessions.
• Pre-test experiments and equipment to verify functionality and readiness for instruction.
• Operate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment; assist with minor repairs as directed.
• Guide students and staff on established procedures and safe use of equipment.
• Inspect, calibrate, and maintain equipment per procedures and manufacturer recommendations.
• Keep laboratories clean, organized, and safe; assist with cleanup and equipment reset for sessions.
• Ensure labs are secured and restored to a safe, operational condition after activities.
• Follow health and safety requirements for chemical handling, labeling, storage, waste disposal, and PPE; report hazards.
• Monitor supplies and chemicals; assist with inventory, ordering, receiving, and cataloging; support annual inventories.
• Maintain routine preparation, equipment, inventory, safety, and activity records and prepare reports.
• Manage laboratory waste per USC policies, including segregation, labeling, storage, and disposal coordination.
• Review references and procedures to support planning of instructional experiments.
• Prioritize instructional lab responsibilities and perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Laboratory procedures

Equipment maintenance

Data acquisition

Safety compliance

Inventory management

Communication

Education

Associate's degree

Technical training

Tools

Data acquisition systems

Job description

CORE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare solutions, reagents, equipment, and other materials for scheduled laboratory experiments, exercises, and demonstrations.


• Set up, test, and break down laboratory workstations and provide routine technical support before, during, and after instructional laboratory sessions.


• Pre-test laboratory experiments, setups, and equipment to verify functionality, identify potential problems, and ensure materials and workstations are ready for instruction.


• Operate, clean, maintain, and perform routine troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Assist with minor repairs or equipment modifications as directed.


• Provide students, faculty, lecturers, and other laboratory users with guidance on established procedures and the safe use of equipment.


• Perform or coordinate routine inspection, calibration, preventive maintenance, and service of laboratory equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer recommendations.


• Maintain clean, organized, and safe laboratories by assisting with cleanup and equipment reset for lab sessions.


• Ensure instructional laboratories are properly secured, organized, and restored to a safe and operational condition following laboratory activities.


• Provide students, faculty, lecturers, and other laboratory users with guidance on established procedures and the safe use of equipment.


• Follow laboratory health and safety requirements, including procedures for chemical handling, labeling, storage, waste disposal, and use of personal protective equipment. Promptly report hazards, incidents, and equipment concerns.


• Monitor laboratory supplies and chemicals; assist with ordering, receiving, cataloging, and maintaining inventory records. Support completion of annual chemical and equipment inventories.


• Maintain routine laboratory preparation, equipment, inventory, safety, and activity records and prepare reports as requested.


• Manage laboratory waste in accordance USC environmental, health, and safety policies, including segregation, labeling, storage, and coordination of disposal.


• Review technical references and established procedures to support the preparation and planning of instructional experiments.


• Prioritize instructional laboratory responsibilities and perform other related duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a related science or engineering field.


• Two years of experience working in an instructional, academic, research, or comparable laboratory environment.


• Education, training, or work experience related to chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or another field relevant to the instructional laboratories.


• Experience preparing chemical solutions, reagents, and other laboratory materials using established procedures and safety protocols.


• Experience operating and performing routine maintenance or troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and data-acquisition systems.


• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, chemical handling, hazardous-waste procedures, inventory management, and computerized recordkeeping.


• Ability to organize and prioritize laboratory activities, communicate effectively with students and instructional personnel, and provide guidance on established laboratory procedures and equipment use.

WORK MODALITY

This full-time position is designated as 100% onsite and is expected to report onsite five days per week. The essential functions of the position require a continuous physical presence to prepare and maintain instructional laboratories; handle chemicals, materials, and waste; operate and troubleshoot equipment and instrumentation; support faculty and students during scheduled laboratory sessions; manage inventories; and fulfill health and safety responsibilities that cannot be effectively performed remotely.

Employees are expected to report onsite during their scheduled work hours. Work hours will be arranged based on the instructional laboratory schedule and may occasionally include hours outside the standard business day to support scheduled instruction, laboratory preparation, maintenance, or urgent operational needs. This position is not eligible for hybrid or remote work.

COMPENSATION

The hourly salary range for this position is $23.95 - $27.31 ($46,702.50 - $53,254.50 annualized). When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

PROFESSIONAL & SAFETY STANDARDS

Employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner consistent with the instructional, operational, and safety requirements of a university laboratory environment. The supervisor may establish reasonable attire and personal protective equipment requirements based on laboratory hazards, assigned duties, and business needs.

Minimum Education: Associate's Degree; Specialized/technical training

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 1 year; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory procedures and equipment specific to area of instruction.


• Knowledge of database operations and data acquisition.


• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and schedule activities to meet both short-term and long- term deadlines.