Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

The Lab Manager will be responsible for implementing the directives of the Instructional Physics Lab Director. The Lab Manager will support the mission and vision of the Instructional Physics Laboratory program established and implemented by the Instructional Physics Lab Director by assisting in the tasks of curriculum development, teaching multiple sections within the Introductory and Advanced Physics Laboratory courses, and overseeing the preparation of the laboratory equipment setups needed. The Lab Manager will be responsible for aspects involving progress tracking, logistics, record keeping, and scheduling. The Lab Manager will assist the Instructional Physics Lab Director and other instructors teaching the Physics Laboratory courses: PHYS 1010L, 1020L, 1601L, 1602L, 1912L, 2255L, and 2953L. The Lab Manager will assist the Instructional Physics Lab Director in managing and responding to student and TA inquiries.

The Lab Manager will work as part of a team effort in a progressive, communal, and professional atmosphere, aiming to maintain a high standard to keep the Physics Laboratory courses operating at a high level of educational outreach for the development of undergraduates. The Lab Manager will conduct their duties, responsibilities, and communication with students and any other parties involved with the Physics Laboratories by presenting a united front aligned with the Instructional Physics Laboratory Program implemented and established by the Instructional Physics Lab Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities: Teaching, Administrative, and Maintenance of Lab Equipment and Supplies.

• Teach one or more lab sections of any combination of the PHYS 1010L, PHYS 1020L, PHYS 1601L, PHYS 1602L, PHYS 1912L, PHYS 2255L, and PHYS 2953L courses each semester and summer session as required by the Instructional Physics Lab Director.

• Implement, follow, and enforce the course design (policies and procedures) developed and established by the Instructional Physics Lab Director.

• Create, manage, and keep an updated record of course information such as grades, content, assignments, quizzes, and tests on the course learning platforms as required by the Instructional Physics Lab Director.

• Assist the Instructional Physics Lab Director in reporting class roll discrepancies, midterm deficiencies, and reconciling and entering final grades in the Online Grading portal for all laboratory courses offered in a given term. Work with the Instructional Physics Lab Director and Staff TA to attend to all extensions and regrade requests for student assignments.

• Directly manage and respond to student inquiries regarding scheduling and arrangement of makeup labs for all lab courses offered in each semester or summer term.

• Oversee the Staff TA and other TAs in holding makeup lab sessions for all lab courses offered in any given semester and summer terms, as required by the Instructional Physics Lab Director. When required, the Lab Manager will hold makeup lab sessions and serve as a backup teacher for any Physics Laboratory courses offered.

• Supervise the Staff TA to ensure that equipment is set up for experiments weekly and enough equipment is on hand for simultaneous labs and makeup labs. Work with the Staff TA to conduct daily routine checkups of lab rooms and equipment and provide on-call assistance with equipment while teaching and/or supervising lab

sections.

• Assist the Instructional Physics Lab Director in developing and preparing instructional materials, including lab manuals, answer keys, and grading rubrics for the Physics Laboratory courses offered in a given term.

• Assist the Instructional Physics Lab Director in tasks related to Teaching Assistant training (hosting Departmental TA orientations and TA weekly preparation meetings).

• Directly report to the Instructional Physics Lab Director about any verbal or written interactions with graduate and undergraduate students serving as Physics Teaching Assistants regarding updates and progress tracking of their duties and responsibilities.

• Directly report to the Instructional Physics Lab Director about any verbal or written interactions with both undergraduate students enrolled in Physics Laboratory courses as well as Physics Teaching Assistants where feedback and concerns about the Instructional Physics Laboratory Program are shared, for the Instructional

Physics Lab Director’s consideration.

• Supervise the Staff TA in keeping a well-organized inventory of laboratory equipment and software used in the instructional Physics Laboratory courses. Ensure equipment is organized and functional for use in laboratory courses. Manage VU IT requests and software maintenance.

• Work with the Instructional Physics Lab Director, staff TA, and other instructors to evaluate equipment and materials needs for all laboratory courses, and ensure enough equipment and materials are available at the beginning of each term.

• Request all instructional lab supplies and equipment orders through the Department’s Procurement Requester with the supervision and approval of the Instructional Physics Lab Director. Ensure that orders are delivered on time and follow up with the Department’s Procurement Requester as necessary.

Secondary Responsibilities: Teaching and Administrative

• Supervise the Staff TA in hosting regular student drop-in hours weekly and by appointment for introductory Physics Laboratory courses (PHYS 1010L, 1020L, 1601L, 1602L, and 1912L) as required by the Instructional Physics Lab Director.

• Conduct teaching observations and assist new Physics Teaching Assistants as required by the Instructional Lab Director.

• Oversee the grading quality of laboratory assignments in all Physics laboratory courses offered in a given term.

• Work with the Instructional Lab Director at the beginning of each term to create lab schedules, evaluate the number of Physics TAs and assist with new TA recruitment, organize TA assignments, creating class roll lists for all Physics laboratory courses offered in a given term.

• Work with the Instructional Physics Lab Director to attend to student inquiries regarding student access and EAD coordination.

• Assist the Instructional Lab director with the supervision of the Physics Help Desk workers and coordination with the introductory Physics instructors (course content schedule).

• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Education, Certifications, Experience, and Qualities

• A bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education.

• Background in Physics or any other STEM courses is necessary.

• Must have and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to professional development and education in Physics knowledge and instruction as well as research-based STEM-pedagogy strategies.

• Experience with administrative systems, policies, and procedures.

• Able to accurately follow written and verbal instructions.

• Excellent time management and ability to set goals and create and execute plans to accomplish them.

• Disciplined, organized, and able to prioritize tasks to deliver high-quality work.

• Self-motivated, proactive, adaptable work style, with the ability to learn quickly and to work with a variety of topics and people.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Flexible and able to work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to proactively research and resolve problems, questions, and discrepancies.

• High proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based tools for collaboration and communications.

Equivalent education and experience may substitute for minimum requirements. The Lab Manager is required to work on-site in an established schedule, coordinated with and approved by the Instructional Physics Lab Director. Occasionally, the Lab Manager may be required to work a flexible schedule (with advance notice).

Desirable Experience and Qualities

• Lab experience and/or teaching is preferred but not necessary.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has an administrative supervisory responsibility for the Instructional Staff Teaching Assistant. This position reports functionally to the Instructional Physics Lab Director and administratively to the Administrative Officer.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.