Physics Lab Coordinator (On-Site)

University of California - Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking an experienced Laboratory Supervisor for the Physics instructional labs. You will oversee preparation facilities, supervise staff, and collaborate with faculty to ensure safe, high-quality lab experiences for undergraduates.

Responsibilities include developing and improving experiments, training teaching assistants, maintaining equipment, and managing budgets. The role requires strong organizational skills, knowledge of lab safety, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics (or related field) is required or preferred.
• Master's degree with lab experience is preferred.
• Experience in developing or modifying undergraduate lab experiments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee physics instructional labs and staff.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop/improve lab experiments.
• Train TAs and instructors on lab concepts and safety.
• Maintain and repair physics equipment; ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Manage procurement and inventory for lab supplies.

Skills

Lab supervision

Collaboration with faculty

Safety compliance

Budget awareness

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree Physics

Advanced degree (Preferred)

Tools

Laboratory equipment

EH&S procedures

Job description

Job ID: 88553

Location: Merced

Job Type: Full Time

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is Step 1: $75,437.68 - Step 25: $121,313.85. The hourly range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is STEP 1: $75,437.68.

Job Closing Date

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is Onsite.

This position is represented by the bargaining unit UPTE: Research Support Professionals - RX .

This posting will remain open until filled with initial applicant review expected to be on or around September 14, 2026.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

Under the direction of the Physical Sciences Instructional Laboratory Manager, the incumbent has the responsibility for the supervision, management, and direction of physics instructional preparation facilities, laboratories, and support staff. The incumbent will work with faculty and teaching assistants to provide a quality lab experience for undergraduate students. The position requires extensive knowledge of multiple fields within physics; an interest in applying biology and chemistry techniques to physics concepts; the ability to work collaboratively with student assistants, staff, teaching assistants, faculty, and their supervisor; the ability to act independently to solve situations regarding laboratory experiments and personnel; maintain confidentiality; practice ethical decision making; and show sound judgment in budgetary matters.

Responsibilities include collaborating with faculty to develop new and continuously improve existing lab experiments, training of teaching assistants and instructors on lab experiment concepts and activities as well as safety concerns, training of student lab staff in scientific procedures and techniques, establishing appropriate laboratory safety protocols for staff and students, and ensuring the maintenance and repair of the facilities. Incumbent also ascertains and researches equipment needs for purchase and makes provision for the support of activities such as lecture demonstrations and special events.

The successful incumbent will take complete responsibility for all aspects required for the successful delivery of upper and lower-division physics lab courses that cover multiple distinct physics subject areas, including development and improvement of lab experiments. The specific courses will change based on course offerings from semester to semester but it is expected that the incumbent will be responsible for introductory physics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, and elective physics labs, such as electronics. The incumbent will take complete responsibility for all aspects of operation and maintenance for the physics instructional equipment in their courses, potentially including, but not limited to, dynamics equipment, electricity, and magnetism equipment, microscopes, spectrometers, radioactive materials and equipment, and specialized experimental set-ups. The incumbent is responsible for supervising the operations of the physics instructional lab group for 4-6 lab courses and serve as backup support for the remaining physics courses. Effective communication with faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students for collaboration and to provide assistance, supervision, or instruction is essential to the successful performance of the position.

KEY REPONSIBILITIES

• Lab Development & Training: Collaborate with faculty and Physical Sciences Instructional Lab Manager to develop and implement new or improved lab experiments, including but not limited to suggesting new experiments, developing new procedures, creating initial write-ups for labs, revising the teaching presentations for TAs, and updating lab manuals. Run new and existing experiments to create data used to implement new or updated experiments. Research new equipment for new or improved experiments. Work with instructors to establish the schedule and content of the lab courses each semester.
• Supervisory Duties: Oversee the lab staff work in set up, resets, and break down of weekly lab experiments. Oversee lab staff in inventory maintenance of chemicals, supplies, and equipment. Guide the lab staff in testing and maintenance of equipment. Be available for questions and consultation.
• Supervisory Duties: Review site specific safety orientation with new staff and train them on existing safety concerns for the labs, particularly radiation and laser safety. Ensure that lab staff take and keep up with their required EH&S training.
• Lab Development & Training: Train TAs on the physics concepts, experimental procedures, safety concerns, and troubleshooting for assigned physics labs during the weekly TA meetings. Work with TAs during in-progress labs to identify areas for improvements to experiments.
• Laboratory Duties: Revise and maintain current electronic versions of lab preparation protocols for assigned physics labs, including, but not limited to, set up sheets, service checklists, chemical preparation sheets, supply preparation sheets, and informational documents, to be used by the lab staff. Keep hard copies of all lab preparation protocols up-to-date.
• Purchasing/Receiving: Order and maintain adequate stocks of materials for assigned physics lab courses and prep areas. Follow proper procedures for the receipt and storage of regulated materials. Update expenses spreadsheets and maintain hard copy records of purchases. Receive incoming orders, store in appropriate locations in a timely manner, and update inventory to reflect new amounts.
• Supervisory Duties: Hire, on-board, train, and supervise student assistants. Serve on search committees. Conduct semester performance evaluations. Establish work schedules. Review and approve student assistant timesheets.
• Laboratory Duties: Provide maintenance and repair of physics equipment in assigned physics labs. Schedule regular checks and cleaning of equipment for routine maintenance. Troubleshoot student labs in progress. Advise the Physical Sciences Instructional Lab Manager on repair or improvement of equipment and facilities with the physics instructional labs, prep rooms, and storage areas.
• Laboratory Duties: Directly support instructors, TAs and undergraduate students in upper division physics labs, including but not limited to advising the instructors and TAs and troubleshooting directly with the students. Run upper division lab experiments to generate data to inform improvements and better train TAs.
• Laboratory Safety: Keep current on relevant safety issues, including but not limited to chemicals, radiation, and lasers, through training and research. Advise lab staff and teaching assistants regarding issues of safety, particularly radiation and laser safety. Keep SDS binders up-to-date in physics lab rooms and preparation areas. Maintain proper collection and disposal of hazards generated in labs and prep areas. Provide for safe disposal of waste. Inspect teaching labs and radiation storage areas for compliance and building issues. Submit necessary repair requests and keep records of submissions. Respond to incidents within the teaching labs/preparation areas at any time to assess the situation, provide needed assistance, and/or take charge of emergency situations. Act as emergency contact for assigned physics labs. Report incidents to Physical Sciences Instructional Lab Manager and the proper campus agencies.
• Lab Development & Training: Train lab staff on proper lab procedures for assigned physics labs, including but not limited to set up, resets, break downs, equipment maintenance, equipment testing, cleaning, and use of equipment.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other duties as assigned, which may include supporting or participating in university-sponsored events, trainings, outreach activities, tabling events, and commencement-related activities.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED), or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree Physics or related field. (Preferred)
• Advanced degree Physics or related field. (Preferred)

AND

• Incumbents are expected to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the positions. These skills, knowledge, and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of extensive study and experience.
• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of additional lab support experience. (Preferred)
• Master's degree and 2 years of additional lab support experience. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience developing or modifying lab experiments for undergraduate students. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated experience in general laboratory skills, including accuracy in lab preparation, ordering of supplies, and safe laboratory practices.
• Demonstrated ability to use, understand, and learn both simple and complex equipment.
• Knowledge of the use and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, including, but not limited to, spectrometers, power supplies, DMMs, radiation equipment, optical components, and computers.
• Manual dexterity to handle small or sensitive pieces of equipment and chemicals.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining equipment and supply stocks.
• Demonstrated skill in writing logical, concise, and grammatically correct documents and procedures and instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt laboratory procedures in a clear and concise manner. (Preferred)
• Knowledge to research standard and uncommon laboratory reference materials, including, but not limited to, vendor websites, SDSs, and EH&S resources, to determine safe handling methods for potentially hazardous equipment and materials. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with people from a wide variety of ethnic, social, and educational backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively to achieve a common goal.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills to prioritize work for self and others. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and practice ethical standards.
• Demonstrated skill with computers, including, but not limited to, software use (various Microsoft software, Origin Pro, LabVIEW, and web-based programs), maintaining computer systems, upgrading software, and troubleshooting issues.

Background Check

Background check required.

Policy Statement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy: The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify: All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Some federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/.