Instructional Lab Tech

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

Job summary

University of Southern California is seeking an Instructional Laboratory Technician for the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. This fully onsite role prepares laboratory equipment, chemicals, reagents, and workspaces for scheduled experiments while assisting faculty, lecturers, and students.

The position emphasizes safety, routine maintenance, and accurate recordkeeping, supporting instructional sessions and ensuring labs remain organized, secure, and ready for

Qualifications

• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices and chemical handling.
• Experience maintaining records and inventories.
• Ability to guide students and instructional personnel in procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare solutions, reagents, equipment, and other materials for scheduled laboratory experiments.
• Set up, test, and break down laboratory workstations with routine technical support.
• Pre-test experiments to verify functionality and readiness for instruction.
• Operate, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Provide guidance on safe use of equipment to students and staff.
• Maintain routine lab preparation, equipment, inventory, safety, and activity records.

Skills

Laboratory safety practices

Equipment troubleshooting

Inventory management

Data recording

Communication with students

Education

Associate's degree or technical training

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering/chemistry/materials science

Tools

Data-acquisition systems

Job description

The Instructional Laboratory Technician provides technical and operational support for instructional laboratories in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science within the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. This fully onsite position prepares laboratory equipment, chemicals, reagents, materials, and workspaces for scheduled experiments, exercises, and demonstrations and provides routine technical assistance to faculty, lecturers, teaching assistants, and students. Reporting to the Instructional Laboratory Manager, the Instructional Laboratory Technician performs work within established laboratory procedures and safety protocols, maintains accurate records and inventories, and helps ensure that instructional laboratories remain safe, orderly, and ready for use. The position exercises judgment in resolving routine technical and operational issues and escalates non-routine equipment, safety, or experimental concerns to the manager or appropriate instructional personnel. The position may provide task guidance to student workers or others performing similar work but does not have formal personnel-management responsibility.

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.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.