Lab and Academic Specialist

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University seeks a Lab and Academic Specialist to manage civil engineering lab courses, maintain equipment, and contribute to curriculum development. You will deliver hands-on instruction, supervise safety, and collaborate with faculty to align labs with ABET-relevant standards.

The role supports on-campus labs and may involve some online instruction. A bachelor’s in civil engineering and at least one year of related experience are required, with familiarity in lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field.
• 1 year of civil engineering industry or academic experience.
• Experience with education/research-grade lab software (MATLAB, LabVIEW, DASYLab, PASCO Capstone).
• Teaching or university lab course delivery experience preferred.
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation and assessment practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement new civil engineering lab experiments and course materials.
• Deliver engaging instruction for on-campus lab sections and support online learners.
• Maintain and upgrade lab equipment, instrumentation, and software.
• Enforce safety protocols and manage lab inventories and procurement.
• Collaborate with faculty to align labs with curriculum and accreditation needs.
• Assist in curriculum development, review, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate laboratory safety training and pest control of hazards as needed.
• Assist with outreach activities and host prospective student visits.

Skills

Lab experience

Communication

Teamwork

Independent work

Online teaching

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

MATLAB

LabVIEW

DASYLab

PASCO Capstone

Job description

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Lab and Academic Specialist for the Civil Environmental and Geospatial Engineering department. The role focuses on managing and enhancing civil engineering laboratory courses, providing hands‑on experience, maintaining equipment, and contributing to curriculum development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new laboratory experiments and course materials for on‑campus civil engineering laboratory courses to align with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
• Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sections of civil engineering laboratory courses, guiding students through practical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
• Provide hands‑on support and technical guidance to students during laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment, and assisting with experimental procedures, whether in a physical lab or a virtual/remote environment.
• Manage, maintain, and upgrade civil engineering laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimal functionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
• Oversee inventory of laboratory supplies and components, initiating procurement as needed.
• Develop and enforce laboratory safety protocols and procedures for on‑campus lab settings.
• Assist the department chair and/or the curriculum committee in maintaining documentation in support of college (ABET) and university (Higher Learning Council) accreditation activities and in the preparation of associated self‑study reports.
• Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providing constructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
• Coordinate and administer the curriculum proposal process (binder process) with the department chair.
• Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries and visits.
• Collaborate with Civil Engineering faculty to integrate laboratory activities with lecture content and contribute to continuous course improvement.
• Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work; actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety‑related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field.

Required Experience

• One year of experience in industry or academia in a civil engineering related position.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience with education‑ or research‑grade civil engineering laboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, DASYLab, LabVIEW, PASCO Capstone, or similar).
• Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level, including experience with lab course delivery.
• Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment practices.
• Experience with safety protocols and best practices in a laboratory environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities

• 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 the following civil engineering areas: civil engineering materials, water resources, or soil mechanics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students in both on‑campus and online formats.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/Abilities

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

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment is typically low to moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

• Every employee receives the following required trainings:
  • Employee Safety Overview
  • Anti‑Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
  • Annual Data Security Training
  • Annual Title IX Training
• Background check: Employment offers are contingent upon completion and assessment of a background check.

Job Logistics

• Full‑Time Equivalent: 100%
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Appointment Term: 12 months
• Shift: –
• Pay Range: Minimum $60,000; final salary depends on experience and qualifications.
• Supervisor: Department Chair
• Posting Type: Internal & External
• Dependent on Funding: No

Accommodation and Legal Statements

• Individuals with disabilities may request accommodations during the hiring process. Please notify the Human Resources office at 906‑487‑2280 or hr‑[e-mail].
• Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.