Lab Assistant

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, seeks an experienced Lab and Instructional Support Specialist for the Human Gross Anatomy Lab within the Health Sciences department.

The role combines lab operations, cadaver maintenance, and teaching undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology labs, with potential contributions to graduate PT/PA courses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in anatomy or related field with substantial anatomy coursework or experience.
• Experience working with human cadaveric specimens and/or in a Human Gross Anatomy Lab.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills for work with students, faculty, staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain lab spaces in a “Ready State” for teaching activities.
• Inspect lab daily for cleanliness and safe operation, manage waste and supplies.
• Assist with coordination of class scheduling in the gross anatomy lab and cadaver handling.
• Teach assigned undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology laboratory sections and prepare materials.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Laboratory safety

Education

Bachelor's Degree in anatomy or related field

Master’s degree in anatomy or related field

Job description

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a comprehensive, global, R1-level research institution with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation's premier cooperative education programs . Drexel was founded in 1891 to provide educational opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Today, we continue to prepare graduates of diverse backgrounds to become purpose-driven professionals and agents for positive change. Learn more about Drexel and our shared values .

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure .

• College of Nursing and Health Professions 1

Job no: 507333
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: College of Nursing and Health Professions

Job Summary

This is a full-time position in the College of Nursing & Health Professions supporting the Human Gross Anatomy Lab and anatomy instruction within the Health Sciences (HSCI) department. The position combines laboratory operations and instructional support with assigned teaching responsibilities in undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) courses. The individual may also provide instructional support or teaching in graduate Physical Therapy (PT) or Physician Assistant (PA) courses, as assigned. Teaching responsibilities include guiding students through laboratory assignments, reinforcing anatomical concepts, and supporting a safe, organized, and effective learning environment.

Essential Functions

Perform job duties as requested by the Director of the Anatomy Lab as they relate to daily operations of the Human Gross Anatomy Lab and assigned teaching responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain all lab spaces in a “Ready State” for teaching activities.
• Daily inspection of the lab to ensure housekeeping maintains a clean environment, including replacement of paper towels and soap, emptying trash, and cleaning sinks and floors.
• Maintain all anatomical specimens.
  • Ensure specimens are covered/wrapped with wet toweling and stored on tables or in appropriate bins, closets, or assigned refrigerators.
  • Inventory specimens and advise faculty on available specimens.
• Maintain compliance records for emergency eyewash and emergency shower.
• Maintain Chemical Tracker for all CNHP assigned labs.
• Manage biological waste and sharps disposal.
• Maintain appropriate signage in the lab.
• Assist with laboratory operations and supplies.
  • Moving human donors between the laboratory and designated storage area and packaging them for removal.
  • Supply inventory and ordering, including chemicals for cleaning and cadaver maintenance, miscellaneous cleaning supplies, PPE, tools, and office supplies for labs and exams.
  • Maintain weekly inventory of disposable supplies and alert lab leadership of inventory needs.
• Assist with coordination of scheduling classes in the gross anatomy lab, including monitoring the lab calendar and communicating effectively with academic programs.
  • Physical Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Pathologists’ Assistant
  • Health Sciences
• Assist faculty with requested teaching support.
  • Assist and/or lead teaching activities in all assigned labs.
  • Preparation of identified structures on cadavers, specimens, joint preps and/or models.
  • Set up and clean up materials used during each lab.
• Organize supplies, equipment, and teaching models/images in the lab spaces and supply closets.
• Dispose of outdated equipment, expired chemicals/supplies, and broken equipment.
• Monitor cooling units and report any issues.
• Coordinate timely disposal of unused cadaveric material as needed.
• Assist with 3D printing lab production of models.
  • Teaching and Instructional Responsibilities:
  • Teach assigned undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) laboratory sections within the Health Sciences (HSCI) department.
  • Prepare the laboratory and instructional materials for lab sessions and ensure materials are returned, cleaned, and stored appropriately after instruction.
  • Coordinate with other HSCI faculty regarding laboratory assignments, course schedules, learning objectives, instructional materials, and student needs.
  • Participate in course-related meetings, instructional preparation, and other teaching activities necessary to fulfill assigned teaching responsibilities.
  • As assigned and based on program needs and qualifications, provide teaching or instructional support in graduate Physical Therapy (PT) and/or Physician Assistant (PA) anatomy-related courses.
• Support Activities
• Assist Lab Leadership in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, and providing day-to-day oversight of work-study assigned to the anatomy laboratory according to university procedures.
• Support high school and other outreach events involving the anatomy laboratory, including preparation, demonstrations, tours, and student engagement activities
• Assist with marketing and recruitment activities for undergraduate and graduate programs, including anatomy-related demonstrations, open houses, admitted-student events, and other program outreach activities as requested.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in anatomy, anatomical sciences, anthropological sciences, a health-related field, or a related discipline with substantial coursework or experience in human anatomy or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • (
  • Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Experience working with human cadaveric specimens and/or in a Human Gross Anatomy Lab.
• Experience teaching, facilitating, or providing instructional support to students in anatomy,.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy and the ability to effectively guide undergraduate students through A&P laboratory activities and assignments.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills appropriate for working with students, faculty, staff, and academic programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in anatomy, anatomical sciences, anthropological sciences, a health-related field, or a related discipline with an emphasis in anatomy.
• Prior teaching experience in Anatomy & Physiology and/or related courses.
• Experience supporting cadaver-based instruction for health professions programs such as Physical Therapy or Physician Assistant education.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade I. Compensation for this grade ranges from$45,330to $68,000 per year. Please note that the offered rate for thisposition will vary based on thesuccessful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Sep 28 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 28 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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