Lab and Academic Specialist

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.

Atlantic Mine (MI)

On-site

USD 54,000 - 66,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

This role is crucial for providing students with hands-on experience, maintaining cutting-edge equipment, and contributing to the development of our practical curriculum.

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, including equipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design.
Strong understanding of fundamental civil engineering concepts and practical applications.
Ability to teach lab courses in at least two of: civil engineering materials, water resources, or soil mechanics.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and implement new laboratory experiments and course materials aligning with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
Deliver engaging instruction for multiple sections of civil engineering lab courses.
Provide hands-on support and technical guidance during laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment and assisting with experiments.
Oversee inventory and maintenance of laboratory equipment, ensuring safety and readiness.
Contribute to ABET and university accreditation documentation and self-study reports.

Skills

Lab experience

Civil engineering concepts

Teach lab courses

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors in civil engineering

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

DASYLab

PASCO Capstone

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Lab and AcademicSpecialist for our Civil Environmental, and Geospatial Engineeringdepartment. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Laboratory andAcademic Specialist to manage and enhance our civil engineeringlaboratory courses. This role is crucial for providing studentswith hands-on experience, maintaining cutting-edge equipment, andcontributing to the development of our practical curriculum. Theideal candidate will have a strong technical background and apassion for teaching and laboratory innovation.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Design, develop, and implement new laboratory experiments andcourse materials for on-campus civil engineering laboratory coursesto ensure alignment with curriculum objectives and industrystandards.
2. Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sectionsof civil engineering laboratory courses, guiding students throughpractical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
3. Provide hands-on support and technical guidance to studentsduring laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment, andassisting with experimental procedures, whether in a physical labor a virtual/remote environment.
4. Manage, maintain, and upgrade civil engineering laboratoryequipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimalfunctionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
5. Oversee inventory of laboratory supplies and components,initiating procurement as needed.
6. Develop and enforce laboratory safety protocols and proceduresfor on-campus lab settings.
7. Assist the department Chair and/or the curriculum committee inmaintaining documentation in support of college (ABET) anduniversity (Higher Learning Council) accreditation activities andin the preparation of the associated self-study reports.
8. Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providingconstructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
9. Coordinate and administer the curriculum proposal process(binder process) with the department chair.
10. Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries andvisits.
11. Collaborate with Civil Engineering faculty to integratelaboratory activities with lecture content and contribute tocontinuous course improvement.
12. Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
13. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be abletoperform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The requiredqualifications listed are representative of the education,experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
14. Other duties as assigned.
15. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies andapplying them to everyday work. Actively engage in Universitycontinuous improvement initiatives.
16. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or a closely relatedfield.

Required Experience

One year of experience in industry or academia in a civilengineering related position

Desirable Education and/or Experience

Experience with education- or research-grade civil engineeringlaboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, DASYLab, LabVIEW, PASCOCapstone, or similar).
Prior teaching or instructional experience at the universitylevel, including experience with lab course delivery.
Familiarity with curriculum development and assessmentpractices.
Experience with safety protocols and best practices in alaboratory environment

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, includingequipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design.
Strong understanding of fundamental civil engineering conceptsand practical applications.
Ability to teach lab courses in at least two of the followingcivil engineering areas: civil engineering materials, waterresources, or soil mechanics.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with theability to effectively instruct and assist students in bothon-campus and online formats.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of ateam.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Demonstrated ability to work with faculty members to develop anddeliver course material in lectures and/or laboratories.
Demonstrated ability to succeed in recruitment activities, forexample, summer youth programs.
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to,working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristicsand viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics describedhere are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions. The noise level in the workenvironment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Employee Safety Overview
Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
Annual Data Security Training
Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not consideredfinalized until the required background check has been performedand the results received and assessed.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) %

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 . Thefinal salarywill depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Department Chair

Posting Type

Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuringtheir eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen ornational of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, aforeign national authorized to work in the United States withoutthe need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility withoutsponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that providesequal opportunity for all, including protected veterans andindividuals with disabilities.

The AnnualSecurity and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safetyand disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policiesand fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. MichiganTech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact theMichigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools andCommunities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFRPart 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfreecampus environment and actively promoting the health and safety ofits community. Find ournotice that outlines the University's policies, legalsanctions, health risks, and available support resources related tothe unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs andalcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimumrequirements)

Advertised:21 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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