Lab and Academic Specialist

Overview

Apply now Job No: 25307.
Department: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering.
Work Type: Staff - Full Time.
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI).
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time.
Categories: Engineering, Academic Administrator.
Applications Close: 07 Jan 2026 (Eastern Standard Time).

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated near Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries. The area offers year-round recreation and a strong sense of community.

Summary: The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department seeks a dedicated Laboratory and Academic Coordinator to manage and enhance laboratory courses, provide hands-on student experience, maintain equipment, and contribute to curriculum development. The candidate should have a strong technical background and a passion for teaching and laboratory innovation.

• Assist in the implementation of new laboratory experiments and course materials for MAE laboratory (practice) courses to ensure alignment with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
• Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sections of MAE laboratory courses, guiding students through practical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
• Provide hands-on support and technical guidance to students during laboratory sessions, troubleshoot equipment, and assist with experimental procedures.
• Manage, maintain, and upgrade MAE laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimal functionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
• Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providing constructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
• Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries and visits.
• Collaborate with MAE faculty to integrate laboratory activities with lecture content and contribute to continuous course improvement.
• Assist in the training and direction of Graduate Teaching Assistants and undergraduate laboratory assistants and graders.
• Provide assistance with undergraduate advising activities as required.
• Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The required qualifications listed are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or a closely related field, or a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering with appropriate years of related experience.
• Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, including equipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design for both physical and virtual/remote environments.
• Strong understanding of fundamental MAE concepts and practical applications.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to follow safety requirements, identify unsafe environment or situation, educate students on the safe operation of the laboratory equipment and best practices for the laboratory environment in cooperation with the department safety officer.

• One year (Master’s degree) or three to five years (Bachelor’s degree) of experience in industry or academia in an MAE-related position.

• Experience with standard MAE laboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, LabVIEW, Siemens Test.
  
  Lab, Amesim)
• Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level
• Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment practices
• Experience with safety protocols and best practices in a laboratory environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to follow safety requirements,…