Lab Management Specialist II

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree‑lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student‑to‑faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses and student government. Developing close‑knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviours and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name – RICE – Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

The Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering is seeking an experienced Lab Management Specialist II to provide specialized instructional laboratory technical services and support to faculty and students. The Lab Management Specialist II will be responsible for managing the operational, instructional, and administrative activities in teaching laboratories as well as providing technical support in the design and fabrication of experimental hardware.

The Lab Management Specialist II will also provide course instruction on the operation of a wide variety of manual and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools, manual and power hand tools, metrology, wood shop tools and machinery, metal machining (including manual and CNC milling and turning), and welding. This role will administer written and practical exams to evaluate student proficiency and knowledge of safety protocols.

This position requires extensive experience with a variety of machine shop tools and equipment, as well as experience in reading schematics/blueprints, and the ability to interpret an end product from an idea. The ideal candidate will have the ability to collaborate with faculty to support and enhance the education of students in Materials Science and Nano Engineering.

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled and safety‑minded laboratory professional with hands‑on experience in instructional lab environments and advanced fabrication techniques. They bring a strong foundation in machining, CNC operation, and design‑for‑manufacturing, paired with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible instruction for students. They excel at managing multiple teaching laboratories, maintaining equipment, and ensuring full compliance with Rice EHS policies and university procedures.

This person is proactive, detail‑oriented, and collaborative—able to partner effectively with faculty, staff, and students to support innovative teaching, maintain safe and efficient laboratory operations, and enhance the educational experience within the Department of Materials Science & Nano Engineering.

On‑campus position:
This position is exclusively on‑site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at Rice University. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.