Instructional Labs Specialist

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 1 TX (004756)

UCPath Position ID: 41103951

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

4/29/2025 11:40:36 AM

Date Last Edited:

4/29/2025 11:40:32 AM

Last Action Effective Date:

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:

41103951

Position Description ID

172779

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH AND DEV ENGR 1 TX (004756)

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:

ADMIN MGR 2

Department Head Payroll Title:

40056567

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

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director and/or senior development engineer, the Instructional Labs Specialist (ILS) provides support for research, design, development, maintenance, assembly, testing, and repair activities in physics and/or astronomy undergraduate instructional labs.   Key responsibilities include professionally managed applications of experimental physics concepts, processes, & procedures to provide support for instructors and students to meet curriculum goals, parts/equipment research, and contributions to experimental design projects.  The ILS also provides support for technical questions, verification of equipment issues, assessment of apparatus component functions, maintains parts inventory and supplies, monitors operational procedures, and/or performs analysis of associated data products, while also assisting team members with general support requests and experiment setups in multiple facilities as directed.  Research and development support includes parts assessment and testing/validation of new apparatus and/or equipment, maintaining documentation and other instructional resources, as well as professional interaction with instructors, teaching assistants, faculty/staff, shop/facilities personnel, and commercial vendors.

The ILS also applies problem-solving and data analysis skills to assist with assessment of experiment status/performance, conducts regular equipment checks and/or troubleshooting at lab stations, generates reports, and researches recommendations for improving experiment procedures, performance, and resources.  Additional responsibilities include conducting weekly training meetings for new users, instructors, and/or teaching assistants, assisting with planning of upcoming experiments and content modules, and supervising the work of teaching assistants, and/or student workers, as directed.  Research duties include assisting with development of data collection and analysis methods, and collaboration with instructors, students, and/or staff to meet the goals of curriculum and resource development projects.  The ILS takes a lead role in testing/implementing new hardware designs/components, and communications recommendations based on research findings, and/or data products, to supervisor.  Collaborate with and support the Instructional Labs Group by assisting with other instructional labs facilities and classroom requests as needed.

The group manages and coordinates support for physics and astronomy instructional labs and courses.

Laboratory Support

1. Assist in the setup of equipment & experiments in support of instruction in assigned classrooms.

2. Contribute to design & development projects, materials research, parts specifications, and timelines for implementation, as directed, to meet curriculum goals.

3. Perform maintenance, testing, organization, and repair of laboratory equipment.

4. Apply working knowledge of physics concepts & experimental design to assess technical requirements, support needs, and performance of student experiments.

5. Assist with maintaining resources, documentation, inventory, and making reports to supervisor.

6. Apply problem-solving skills to respond to real-time support requests in assigned classrooms.

7. Maintain records of equipment status and make recommendations to supervisor and/or team members.

80%

Consultation/General Support

1. Meet with instructors, teaching assistants, and/or students, as directed, to provide ongoing technical training and monitor procedures for experiments and analysis methods.

2. Assist with general support and/or maintenance requests in additional facilities and/or classrooms as needed.

3. Communicate and collaborate with instructors, staff, and/or students as directed to meet instructional labs goals.

4. Assist with supervision of teaching assistants and/or student workers as directed.

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 Engineering and/or equivalent experience and training.

Required

Ability to follow oral and written instructions, both individually and as a member of a team, to prioritize and follow through on assignments as directed.

Required

Ability to perform basic analysis of data products based on the results of experiments and/or testing/validation of scientific apparatus(es).

Required

Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and vendors.

Required

Ability to write clear, concise, and grammatically correct laboratory documentation, technical reports, and other general support resources.

Required

Working knowledge of scientific data collection & analysis software, common programming languages (e.g., Python) and associated collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office).

Required

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

Required

Experience with data acquisition hardware, interfaces, display methods, and/or scientific software used in instructional labs settings.

Required

Ability to apply working knowledge of undergraduate-level physics to assist with assessing equipment needs and/or contributing towards projects involving design, documentation, and development of apparatus(es) and/or components.

Required

Ability to read/interpret schematics and/or equipment documentation and assist in researching and/or evaluating equipment based on experiment-specific requirements.

Required

Ability to respond promptly to real-time support requests, including hardware/software troubleshooting, equipment repairs, maintenance, and/or general infrastructure support projects in assigned spaces.

Required

Skill in using common lab and/or basic shop tools, such as soldering iron, signal generators, analyzers, multimeters, power supplies, drills, and hand tools.

Preferred

Experience constructing and debugging electronic circuits.

Preferred

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:

Multiple (Knudsen and PAB)

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

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

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.