SPA Lab Services Coordinator

About the Job

About the Department : The School of Physics and Astronomy provides significant service to the University through the teaching of introductory physics courses. In a given academic year, approximately 4,000 students take a class from the School. There are approximately 170 physics and astrophysics majors that take upper division courses and 180 graduate students in the physics and astrophysics programs combined. There are 55 tenure/tenure-track faculty as well as a number of teaching faculty who are instrumental in the teaching mission of the School. Approximately half of our graduate students also contribute to the teaching mission through teaching assistantships, which involves leading undergraduate labs. The person in this position will interface with staff, faculty, and TAs in support of the School's academic programs.

Job Duties

35% SPA Lab Services Coordinator

Prioritizes and leads the School of Physics and Astronomy educational programs and technology improvements through to successful execution, including managing budgets.

• Plans and implements educational programs for the School of Physics and Astronomy.
• Provide support to active classes and plan resources for upcoming semesters.
• Develops and tests educational materials, experiments and simulations for introductory Physics lab courses.
• Develops course content within the Canvas classroom management system.
• Admin for the 1000-level Canvas course sites.
• Oversee the content and pedagogy used in the SPA introductory curriculum.
• Develop training and instructor information for the SPA introductory curriculum.
• Collaborate with the School of Physics and Astronomy faculty to develop curriculum and online learning activities and tools.
• Develop segments of the School of Physics and Astronomy instructional labs based on sound instructional design principles that foster students and learning.
• Provide lab training to new faculty and graduate students.
• Provide expertise in the repair, modification and design of lab resources.
• Keep current with developments in the Physics education field and provide consultation about new pedagogical concepts and educational laboratory improvements.

40% Oversight on SPA Demo Services

• Develops strategy for continuous demonstration services.
• Plan technology improvements for the demonstration services through to successful execution, including managing budgets.
• Ensures resource availability for demonstration facilities.
• Keeps current with developments in the Physics education field and provides consultation about lecture demonstrations and other interactive learning ideas.
• Repairs and modifies electronic and mechanical equipment used to facilitate lecture demonstrations.
• Assist with providing demonstration services.

10% SPA Departmental Safety

As Research Safety Officer (RSO) for the School of Physics and Astronomy, ensures that the 150+ experimental faculty, staff and students (both graduate and undergraduate) carry out their

research in a safe and responsible manner.

• Serves as a liaison between the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS).
• Answers general questions concerning the storage and removal of chemicals and chemical waste.
• Answers policy questions related to safety issues.
• Answers general safety questions.
• Coordinates with DEHS experts to formalize safety response to issues.
• Inspects research labs on a yearly basis to determine if they are compliant with current safety guidelines.
• Provide safety training to new faculty, graduate students, summer undergraduate researchers, and (on an annual basis) experimental researchers in general.
• Ensures that online safety training is completed.
• Tracks online training progress through the MyU system.
• Develops safety training workshops, modules and opportunities for implementation of an improved safety culture for the School of Physics and Astronomy.
• Facilitate and develop a culture of safety within SPA.

10% Supervision

Supervise Education Program Associate 2

• Train and inform Education Program Associate 2 on lecture demonstrations that are complex or problematic to set up. Inform on unfamiliar mechanical equipment, electronics or procedures.
• Oversee the day-to-day demonstration requests to ensure availability and evaluate demonstration usage.
• Consult Education Program Associate 2 on university procedures and policy.
• Assist Education Program Associate 2 to hire, train, oversee and retain student workers for demonstration services.

5% SPA Other responsibilities

Initiates special projects for outreach and classroom activities in consultation with the SPA faculty and CSE partners

• Mentors and orient TAs, students and volunteers for various outreach events.
• Plans and implements educational programs for the greater community through outreach events.
• Ensures resource availability for outreach events.
• Prioritizes and leads the School of Physics and Astronomy technology improvements through to successful execution, including managing budgets.
• Assist with departmental functions and programs.
• Generate content for outreach or fundraising for external entities.

Schedule:

• Monday-Friday
• 8:00AM-4:30PM
• 40 hrs/week

Work Environment: In-person. This position will work on the University of Minnesota’s East Bank campus.

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• BA/BS degree in Physics or a related field with at least two years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least six years
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory work; including computing, classroom management, and instructor support.
• Demonstrated competence with basic electrical and mechanical repair or modifications.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with procurement budgeting.
• Knowledge of various computing data acquisition systems and methods.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems - Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard.
• Knowledge of programing/computing such as Python, Matlab, Mathematica and/or LabView
• Knowledge and/or experience with Research Safety.

About the Department

School of Physics and Astronomy: https://cse.umn.edu/physics

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $70,000-$85,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials: Resume and Cover Letter

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.