Instructional Lab Tech

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Instructional Laboratory Technician at the University of Southern California's Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science provides technical and operational support for instructional laboratories onsite, preparing equipment, chemicals, reagents, and workspaces for scheduled experiments and demonstrations.

Reporting to the Instructional Laboratory Manager, the role maintains records, inventories, safety compliance, and offers routine technical assistance to faculty,

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical training required.
• Experience with laboratory safety practices and chemical handling.
• Familiarity with data acquisition and lab equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare solutions, reagents, and equipment for scheduled experiments.
• Set up and break down lab workstations and provide routine technical support.
• Pre-test experiments to verify functionality and readiness.
• Operate, clean, and perform routine maintenance on lab instruments.
• Guide students and faculty on established procedures and safety.
• Maintain inventory and assist with ordering and cataloging supplies.
• Prepare routine records and reports of lab activities.
• Manage waste per safety policies and coordinate disposal.

Skills

Safety procedures

Equipment troubleshooting

Inventory management

Lab sanitation

Education

Associate degree or technical training

Chemistry/Engineering background

Tools

Chemical handling

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.