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Assistant Instructional Lab Manager

Bozeman, United States

The Department of Physics at Montana State University is committed to education and research in physics, the study of the fundamental universal laws that govern the behavior of matter and energy, and the exploration of the consequences and applications of those laws. Research programs in the department span a variety of fields within physics, including Astrophysics, Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology, Condensed Matter Physics, Laser and Optics, Physics Education, Solar Physics, and Space Sciences.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds, possess effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Instructional Lab Manager is a part-time (8 hours per week) position supporting the Physics Instructional Lab Manager in preparation of physics labs and related equipment and working with academic users of lab equipment.

The Assistant Instructional Lab Manager provides logistical assistance to the operation of introductory undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses in the Department of Physics. On an annual basis, this position assists in managing the logistics for 73 lectures and 159 laboratory sections, with a total student enrollment of 4700 students per year.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Assist in preparation, setup and take down of equipment for Physics class lectures and lab courses.
Assist in maintaining, repairing, updating, and modifying lab and demonstration equipment and troubleshoot instructional equipment issues.
Assist with calls/texts from TAs needing assistance with labs scheduled after standard work hours.
Ensure the lab is kept well organized and clean.
Assist in resetting equipment, laboratory space(s), and storage areas after each lab has been completed.
Advise Instructional Lab Manager of lab manual changes needed to improve student learning.
Assist in updating supervisor lab set up manuals.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master’s degree in physics or related field.

Familiarity with physics equipment used in college-level instruction.

Knowledge of computer systems, software, and hardware common to instructional laboratories.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Prior MSU lab experience.

The Successful Candidate Will

Understand basic physical principles related to experiments in physics.
Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, staff, and students.
Demonstrate the ability to relate to and establish rapport with a college student population.
Exercise good judgment and self-motivation.
Maintain confidentiality of records and information.
Possess strong interest in student success.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

The position for which you have applied MAY BE a Union position. Union affiliation is determined by job duties and the collective bargaining unit.

Non-Tenure Track Faculty – Any position that is .5 FTE or more is represented by the Associated Faculty of Montana State University (AFMSU). Faculty covered by AFMSU may choose to pay membership dues. This is a condition of employment. Additional information can be found at AFMSU or by emailing AFSMU.
- Any position less than .5 FTE is not represented by the Union and is not required to pay dues.
- If the FTE changes during employment, the representational status of this position could be impacted.
- Exceptions: Anyone having successfully completed a PEI exam or any faculty working in Extension are exempt from the Union

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The Department of Physics is in the College of Letters and Science. The department is committed to education and research in physics, the study of the fundamental universal laws that govern the behavior of matter and energy, and the exploration of the consequences and applications of those laws. The Department of Physics is widely known for its excellent teaching and student mentoring and plays an important role in the university’s Core Curriculum. The Department of Physics has strong academic programs with several options for undergraduate physics majors, leading to the B.S. degree, as well as graduate curricula leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

The Department

Principal concentrations of the department’s research groups are in Astrophysics, Relativity and Cosmology, Condensed Matter Physics, Lasers and Optics, Physics Education, Solar Physics, and the Space Science and Engineering Lab. Numerous outreach activities carry physics to K-12 teachers, classrooms, and the general public. Student involvement is central to the department’s educational, research, and outreach activities. The varied accomplishments of our department are a tribute to the extraordinary efforts of the 26 tenure-track and research faculty, 13 postdoctoral fellows and scientists, 60 graduate students and 100 undergraduate students, backed up by an outstanding and highly motivated support staff.

The College

The College of Letters and Science (CLS), the largest center for learning, teaching and research at Montana State University, offers students an excellent liberal arts and sciences education in nearly 50 majors, 25 minors and over 25 graduate degrees within the four areas of the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics and social sciences.

Building on the great strength of our traditional disciplines, the college provides exciting opportunities for faculty and students at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry. CLS is dedicated to supporting student success, discovering and disseminating new knowledge, and providing an atmosphere in which discovery and learning are integrated and valued. CLS is at the confluence of intellectual tradition, discovery, and innovation.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on October 13, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.