Physics Laboratory Technical Support and Instruction Assistant II

Rochester Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology on campus laboratories support teaching and research in physics and astronomy, delivering hands-on lab experiences for about 3,500 students yearly.

The role combines technical lab work with operations, requiring independence, problem-solving, and collaboration to keep instructional and research infrastructure running smoothly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 5 years of relevant laboratory experience is required.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance to students, faculty and researchers in experimental design and execution.
• Sets up, calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots lab equipment for demos and analyses.
• Prepares and standardizes chemical and biological samples for experiments.
• Manages lab scheduling, inventory, and safety compliance.
• Supports procurement activities and project prototyping when needed.
• Maintains accurate lab documentation and records.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Position Highlights This 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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides technical guidance and support to students, faculty, and researchers in the design, planning, and execution of research activities
• Aids in the fabrication, proto-typing, and testing of experimental materials, models, and devices
• Sets up, calibrates, maintains, and performs minor repairs of laboratory equipment, instruments, and tools for use in demonstrations, experiments, and analyses
• Prepares and standardizes chemical and biological samples or other materials for experiments
• Monitors 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 waste Performs administrative duties related to lab scheduling, resource management, inventory tracking, and record-keeping for research and teaching activities
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of laboratory practices, procedures, and operations
• Knowledge of the standards, regulations, and protocols related to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and waste
• Ability to set up, calibrate, trouble shoot, or instruct the use of laboratory equipment and instruments
• Skill in time management, organization, and multi-tasking in high volume environments
• Skill in maintaining detailed records of research activities, ensuring documentation is thorough and easily accessible

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 5 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Operations, 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 Category

Non-Exempt

Work Location

On Campus

Compensation

$21.65 - $34.60 Hourly

In 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 or 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.

Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology has a long-standing history of innovation that blends the arts, technology, and experiential learning. In addition to its main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. As of Fall 2024, total student enrollment across all campuses exceeded 21,000. Nationally recognized for its co-op and internship programs, RIT is supported by more than 4,000 dedicated faculty and staff members committed to student success. Its 1,300-acre suburban campus features cutting-edge facilities that reflect RIT’s strengths in applied research, design, and workforce development.