Physics Laboratory Technical Support and Instruction Assistant II

Rochester-Institute-of-Technology; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Physics and Astronomy seeks an Operations Technician to support teaching and research labs on campus. The role involves calibrating, repairing, and maintaining laboratory equipment, assisting faculty, and enabling hands-on demonstrations for thousands of students annually.

You will manage inventories, coordinate equipment prep, ensure safety compliance, and provide training to students and researchers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 5 years of relevant lab experience.
• Ability to set up, calibrate, troubleshoot and repair laboratory equipment.
• Strong documentation, inventory management, and safety compliance skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate laboratory equipment preparation and maintenance.
• Support faculty instructional and research needs; assist with equipment design and prototyping.
• Set up, calibrate, maintain, and perform minor repairs of lab equipment and tools.
• Prepare and standardize samples for experiments; assist with demonstrations and analyses.
• Monitor operations to enforce safety protocols and proper disposal of materials.
• Perform scheduling, inventory tracking, and record-keeping for teaching and research activities.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Time management

Safety compliance

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

5 years of relevant lab experience

Job description

Position HighlightsThis position will provide direct support of educational, teaching and research laboratories within the School of Physics and Astronomy. Successful candidates will provide broad operational, technical, and instructional support across both undergraduate teaching laboratories and faculty research laboratories. Working closely with faculty, staff, and students, the successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and developing laboratory equipment and instrumentation; supporting workshop-style physics courses serving approximately 3,500 students annually; assisting with student research and capstone projects; and helping ensure the effective operation of the school's instructional and research infrastructure. This role is central to the successful delivery of the school's educational and research missions.The position combines hands-on technical expertise with laboratory operations management and requires a high degree of independence, problem-solving, and collaboration.Key responsibilities include:Coordinating laboratory equipment preparation and maintenance, supporting faculty instructional and research needs, managing inventories and procurement activities, assisting with equipment design and prototyping projects, providing training and support to students, maintaining laboratory documentation, and ensuring compliance with university safety requirements. The successful candidate will contribute to strategic planning related to laboratory facilities, equipment, and infrastructure while serving as a responsive resource for faculty, staff, and students across the school.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesProvides technical guidance and support to students, faculty, and researchers in the design, planning, and execution of research activitiesAids in the fabrication, proto-typing, and testing of experimental materials, models, and devicesSets up, calibrates, maintains, and performs minor repairs of laboratory equipment, instruments, and tools for use in demonstrations, experiments, and analysesPrepares and standardizes chemical and biological samples or other materials for experimentsMonitors laboratory operations and procedures to promote a safe working environment and ensure adherence to safety protocols. Enforces the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and wastePerforms administrative duties related to lab scheduling, resource management, inventory tracking, and record-keeping for research and teaching activitiesOther duties as assignedKnowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesKnowledge of laboratory practices, procedures, and operationsKnowledge of the standards, regulations, and protocols related to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and wasteAbility to set up, calibrate, trouble shoot, or instruct the use of laboratory equipment and instrumentsSkill in time management, organization, and multi-tasking in high volume environmentsSkill in maintaining detailed records of research activities, ensuring documentation is thorough and easily accessibleMinimum Education & ExperienceBachelor's degree in related field5 years of relevant experienceEquivalent combination of experience and education may be consideredJob Level OverviewOperations, Administrative, Service, or Technical Support Level 2 - An intermediate level role with working foundational knowledge and skills to perform routine and occasionally non-routine tasks. Tasks may require interpretation or deviation from standard procedures. May provide assistance to entry level staff.FLSA CategoryNon-ExemptWork LocationOn CampusCompensation$21.65 - $34.60 HourlyApplication MaterialsWhen you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information. This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or ResumeCandidates must be eligible to work in the United States.Additional DetailsIn compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail] . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.