Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

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Instructor/Assistant Lab Manager

Requisition Number:

63221

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

09-May-2025

Date Posted:

11-Apr-2025
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Job Summary

The Department of Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages applications for an Instructor/Assistant Lab Manager position. This role reports to the Lab Manager and will teach technical subjects in a machine shop environment, and includes the following tasks:
  • Teach weekly introductory machine shop course as well as introductory welding course based on established curricula.
  • Supervise and mentor students, research staff, and faculty who utilize the lab to manufacture research projects.
  • Contribute to continuously improving, modernizing, and maintaining shop equipment and shop organization methods.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Physics Trades Teaching Lab provides students with the basic tools and knowledge to navigate and utilize a machine shop environment and its equipment effectively. Managed by the Department of Physics, the PTTL currently offers two classes to students from every discipline on campus: Intro. to Manual Machining and Intro. to Welding. Class sizes are small to provide both comprehensive orientation and hands-on instruction to students and other individuals affiliated with the University, as well as community members. Individuals who successfully complete the courses are allowed access and use of the PTTL facility during open lab hours when PTTL staff are present. The Department of Physics is internationally renowned for outstanding teaching, research, and service. Home to award-winning research labs, educators, and Nobel Laureates, the CU Department of Physics is at the forefront of the physics discipline, with an accomplished faculty devoted to undergraduate and graduate research and education.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Machine Shop Technical Instruction:
  • Work with students of all technical backgrounds and prior skill levels to succeed in a machine shop environment.
  • Teach proper shop safety techniques and PPE requirements.
  • Teach fundamental machining operations on knee-type milling machine such as: work holding, tool holding, feeds/speeds, climb/conventional milling, edge finding, drilling, taping etc.
  • Teach fundamental machining operations on toolroom-style lathes such as: tool setup, turning, facing, boring, drilling, tapping, reaming etc.
  • Teach other necessary shop skills such as: measuring, hand work, vertical/horizontal sawing of stock, and proper clean-up procedures.
  • Apply technical knowledge of materials and machining techniques.
Welding Technical Instruction:
  • Teach compressed gas cylinder safety.
  • Teach proper safety techniques when working with AC/DC welding equipment.
  • Teach basic skills necessary for MIG welding of mild steel.
  • Teach basic skills necessary for TIG welding of Aluminum.
  • Be flexible and able to accommodate students who wish to focus on a specific material or welding method, such as DC TIG welding of stainless steel.
Supervise and Assist Students, Staff, and Faculty who Utilize the Lab:
  • Host weekly shop open hours.
  • Ensure all shop users adhere to all safety requirements/PPE for safe use of machine tools.
  • Support shop users through their technical challenges during the manufacturing process.
  • Apply working knowledge of machining strategies and techniques for a wide range of materials, including difficult to machine materials such as stainless steel, copper, and hardened materials.  
Support and Assist Lab Manager with all duties related to Lab Supervision and Management:
  • Help maintain facility and tool organization, preventative maintenance, and equipment repair to make operations run smoothly and safely.
  • Assist with fabrication of instruments and products for funded research, student labs, graduate student projects, and research leading to student thesis or dissertation.
  • Complete special projects and duties as assigned by the Lab Manager.
  • Assist research and development of new curricula to address changes in technology.

What We Can Offer

• The salary range for this full-time position is $65,000-$75,000 annually.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • A Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Minimum 1 year of experience teaching a technical subject at the college, trade school, or high school level.
  • 2 years of technical experience in a machine shop environment.

What You Will Need

  • Must have a passion for teaching technical subjects.
  • Must be approachable and patient, have excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills expected in a teaching environment.
  • Detail-oriented and able to problem-solve to meet fabrication objectives, including familiarity with both inch and metric units, mathematical calculations and metalworking competency.
  • Experience with machining a wide range of materials.
  • Proficient in different welding techniques.
  • Working knowledge of computers and office equipment, Microsoft Office, and Excel.

What We Would Like You to Have

  • 1+ years of experience teaching a technical subject at the college, trade school, or high school level.
  • 3+ years of experience in a machine shop environment.
  • Prior machine shop management and maintenance experience.
  • Multi-disciplinary skillset, including machining, welding, brazing, fabrication, equipment maintenance, and shop organization.
  • Troubleshooting and machine tool repair experience.
  • Knowledge of various welding equipment; certification desired.
  • Familiarity with commercial CAD/CAM software packages, ideally SolidWorks and Mastercam.
  • 2-3 axis CNC programming experience.
    • Conversational and/or CAM based.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume or CV
  2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
  3. Optional: PDF Sample of Work
  4. Optional: Portfolio URL / Link
During the application process you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request a letter of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until May 9, 2025.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu