Instructional Lab Tech

The Instructional Laboratory Technician provides technical and operational support for instructional laboratories in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science within the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. This fully onsite position prepares laboratory equipment chemicals reagents materials and workspaces for scheduled experiments exercises and demonstrations and provides routine technical assistance to faculty lecturers teaching assistants and students.

Reporting to the Instructional Laboratory Manager the Instructional Laboratory Technician performs work within established laboratory procedures and safety protocols maintains accurate records and inventories and helps ensure that instructional laboratories remain safe orderly and ready for use. The position exercises judgment in resolving routine technical and operational issues and escalates non-routine equipment safety or experimental concerns to the manager or appropriate instructional personnel. The position may provide task guidance to student workers or others performing similar work but does not have formal personnel-management responsibility.

CORE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Prepare solutions reagents equipment and other materials for scheduled laboratory experiments exercises and demonstrations.
Set up test and break down laboratory workstations and provide routine technical support before during and after instructional laboratory sessions.
Pre-test laboratory experiments setups and equipment to verify functionality identify potential problems and ensure materials and workstations are ready for instruction.
Operate clean maintain and perform routine troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Assist with minor repairs or equipment modifications as directed.
Provide students faculty lecturers and other laboratory users with guidance on established procedures and the safe use of equipment.
Perform or coordinate routine inspection calibration preventive maintenance and service of laboratory equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer recommendations.
Maintain clean organized and safe laboratories by assisting with cleanup and equipment reset for lab sessions.
Ensure instructional laboratories are properly secured organized and restored to a safe and operational condition following laboratory activities.
Provide students faculty lecturers and other laboratory users with guidance on established procedures and the safe use of equipment.
Follow laboratory health and safety requirements including procedures for chemical handling labeling storage waste disposal and use of personal protective equipment. Promptly report hazards incidents and equipment concerns.
Monitor laboratory supplies and chemicals; assist with ordering receiving cataloging and maintaining inventory records. Support completion of annual chemical and equipment inventories.
Maintain routine laboratory preparation equipment inventory safety and activity records and prepare reports as requested.
Manage laboratory waste in accordance USC environmental health and safety policies including segregation labeling storage and coordination of disposal.
Review technical references and established procedures to support the preparation and planning of instructional experiments.
Prioritize instructional laboratory responsibilities and perform other related duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in chemical engineering chemistry materials science or a related science or engineering field.
Two years of experience working in an instructional academic research or comparable laboratory environment.
Education training or work experience related to chemical engineering materials science chemistry or another field relevant to the instructional laboratories.
Experience preparing chemical solutions reagents and other laboratory materials using established procedures and safety protocols.
Experience operating and performing routine maintenance or troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and data-acquisition systems.
Familiarity with laboratory safety practices chemical handling hazardous-waste procedures inventory management and computerized recordkeeping.
Ability to organize and prioritize laboratory activities communicate effectively with students and instructional personnel and provide guidance on established laboratory procedures and equipment use.

WORK MODALITY
This full-time position is designated as 100% onsite and is expected to report onsite five days per week. The essential functions of the position require a continuous physical presence to prepare and maintain instructional laboratories; handle chemicals materials and waste; operate and troubleshoot equipment and instrumentation; support faculty and students during scheduled laboratory sessions; manage inventories; and fulfill health and safety responsibilities that cannot be effectively performed remotely.

Employees are expected to report onsite during their scheduled work hours. Work hours will be arranged based on the instructional laboratory schedule and may occasionally include hours outside the standard business day to support scheduled instruction laboratory preparation maintenance or urgent operational needs. This position is not eligible for hybrid or remote work.

PROFESSIONAL & SAFETY STANDARDS
Employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner consistent with the instructional operational and safety requirements of a university laboratory environment. The supervisor may establish reasonable attire and personal protective equipment requirements based on laboratory hazards assigned duties and business needs.

Minimum Education: Associates Degree; Specialized/technical training
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 1 year; Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
-Knowledge of laboratory procedures and equipment specific to area of instruction.
-Knowledge of database operations and data acquisition.
-Ability to plan prioritize organize and schedule activities to meet both short-term and long- term deadlines.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USCs Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee please apply to thisUSC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: