Laboratory Coordinator

LAB AST 3 (009602)

UCPath Position ID: 41018492

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1139061

Approved Date:

6/28/2025 9:06:51 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/28/2025 9:06:45 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

5/1/2023

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1340D

Division:

L&S PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Department:

100000 - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

41018492

Position Description ID

167683

UC Payroll Title:

LAB AST 3 (009602)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40062215

Reports to Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 3

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40056567

Department Head Payroll Title:

ADMIN MGR 2

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Provide general lab coordination and operational support to supervise experiments and equipment use in Physics & Astronomy teaching laboratory spaces.  Major duties include: training and supervising teaching assistants on proper use of equipment for a variety of experiments, assisting with setup/removal of experiments and/or demonstrations, assisting with general laboratory infrastructure and/or equipment maintenance/repairs projects, and development of data analysis methods. Incumbent applies working knowledge of physics concepts and experimental design to assist with lab course operations, and updates/revisions to experiments as directed by supervisor. Helps maintain documentation an infrastructure to support introductory labs, makes contributions to experiment revisions, and performs testing/modifications to lab equipment as assigned. Assists with the development of new lab procedures, and/or experiment materials, websites, and/or lab trainings, and contributes to other projects with assigned scope that aim to improve physics instruction and the safe/effective use of laboratory equipment. Collaborate with faculty and/or staff as directed to provide general operational support to the Instructional Labs Group as needed.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy consists of faculty, undergrads and graduate students, academic researchers, scientists, staff and postdocs. Our department is located in Knudsen Hall, the Physics & Astronomy Buildings, the Planetarium (located in the Math Sciences Building), the Science and Technology Research Building (STRB) and a portion of Kaplan Hall (Division Mechanical Shop) totaling approximately 155,000+ square feet and an asset total of $11M.

Coordination and Supervision of Laboratories

1. Coordinate trainings, meetings, & provide support for lab equipment use in student experiments, including safety policies/procedures.

2. Supervise operation of equipment in student labs, provide real-time equipment support, diagnosis, repairs, as required.

3. Coordinate & support experiment resources/schedules for assigned courses, both independently & collaboratively with TAs, staff, and/or course instructors as needed.

4. Maintain lab websites, resources, & documentation.

5. Assist with assessments of general lab operations and equipment needs as directed; make reports & recommendations to supervisor.

6. Monitor general experiment workflows & assist with other general lab support tasks/projects as needed.

7. Provide operational support to TAs and/or fellow staff members as needed.

60%

Assembly and Assessment of Laboratory Equipment

1. Assist with the collection, setup, and return of laboratory equipment for scheduled experiments as needed.

2. Perform checks on operational status of assigned lab spaces and equipment before instructional meetings and regularly throughout experiment weeks as time permits.

3. Assist with maintenance, upgrades, repairs and assessments of equipment and/or computers in assigned spaces as directed.

4. Assist with additional lab equipment construction and/or modification projects as directed.

20%

General Laboratory and Equipment Support

1. Monitor & assess equipment needs, performance, & inventory in assigned facilities; make recommendations for laboratory supplies as needed.

2. Assist with vendor research for new equipment, replacement parts, & equipment repairs as needed.

3. Provide general support for experiment development and/or assessment projects & regular laboratory infrastructure projects as assigned.

4. Maintain records of performance and/or status of experiments & lab equipment; submit reports & recommendations to supervisor.

5. Participate in lab safety training/inspections, obtain certifications, & monitor compliance with lab safety policies.

6. Supervise work of student employees.

7. Assist with maintenance of lab computers/software.

8. Provide additional support to the Instructional Labs Group as needed.

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Physics, astronomy, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

1-3 years

Experience working with and/or maintaining equipment in a laboratory, research, or educational environment.

Required

Working knowledge of introductory physics concepts and familiarity with physics experiment equipment and methods used in instructional labs settings.

Required

Ability to work efficiently and effectively, either independently or as a member of a team, on a variety of simultaneous lab coordination/support tasks, as directed.

Required

Familiarity with modern data acquisition equipment, associated technologies, sensors, interfaces, analysis tools, software, and scientific programming languages (e.g., Python) used in instructional settings.

Required

Strong interpersonal skills to work with and communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing, at various levels to proactively solve problems, assess lab support needs, and follow through on assignments with minimal directions.

Required

Experience with parts design/fabrication methods, hardware, and/or software.

Preferred

Ability to supervise and train students and/or teaching assistants on various equipment and procedures for a variety of lab courses.

Required

Skill in using electronic instrumentation such as signal analyzers, microcontrollers, diagnostic meters, frequency generators, power supplies, and digital sensors.

Preferred

Skill in using hand and power tools such as soldering irons, heat guns, wire strippers, and 3D printers to repair, replace or modify lab equipment.

Preferred

Ability to apply physics/engineering concepts & problem-solving skills to diagnose, repair, and/or evaluate equipment & resources used for student experiments.

Required

Ability to read and/or interpret schematics and/or service documentation and specifications pertaining to the assembly, maintenance, and/or implementation of lab equipment.

Required

Willingness to learn new technical and/or lab support skills.

Required

Ability to maintain a regular schedule to respond to real-time support requests and to adjust workflow(s) and/or priorities as determined by supervisor and the needs of the instructional labs group.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Knudsen 2-137 (Multiple)

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

X

Other Physical Requirements

If "Physical requirements other" was selected above, please explain (e.g., ability to differentiate color):

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.