C-SED Lab Manager

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How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume that details your interest in the position specifically outlining how your qualifications align with the role and includes information on your approach to teaching, facilitation, and student mentorship. Upload this as one PDF document.

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Job Summary

The Center for Socially Engaged Engineering & Design (C-SED) is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Lab Manager to join our team. This unique position offers the opportunity to contribute to the operational success of an interdisciplinary makerspace, the professional development of student staff through supervision and mentorship, and the academic development of students through the design and facilitation of educational sessions in courses and independent workshops for students.

In this role, you will manage the day to day operations and programming of the C-SED Lab, an interdisciplinary design and engineering makerspace located at the Center for Socially Engaged Engineering & Design. You will ensure the lab is well-equipped, maintained, and accessible for student use. You will supervise student staff as well as design, develop, and facilitate programming that supports both academic and co-curricular socially engaged design and engineering activities. You will play a central role in shaping the educational experience for students, including students through independent work and partnering with Michigan Engineering faculty who use the space as part of first year courses.

This role reports to the Managing Director of C-SED.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lab Management: Oversee the daily operations of the C-SED lab, ensuring a safe, productive, and welcoming space for hands-on learning and prototyping.
• Programming: Develop, implement, and assess programming and training in the C-SED Lab that align with the mission of C-SED and the needs of C-SED faculty partners.
• Facilitation: Design, facilitate, and supervise the student facilitation of training sessions using the lab and lab equipment.
• Training, Supervision, & Mentorship: Manage and mentor student staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for team members to grow in their skills and knowledge.

About C-SED & The C-SED Lab:

The Center for Socially Engaged Engineering and Design (C-SED) advances sociotechnical thinking and skillsets of engineers and designers by creating evidence-based transformative educational experiences for students, faculty, and practitioner learners

The C-SED Lab is a collaborative socially engaged engineering & design focused makerspace and project laboratory where students, staff, and faculty convene to learn, make, and build community. We are committed to maintaining an inviting space for independent student projects, student project teams, and faculty-led courses through the process of socially engaged design. We aim to facilitate the growth and development of our community of students, staff, and faculty by offering tools, training, materials, and an open workspace to experiment with and master a wide variety of skills. We are dedicated to promoting the use of prototypes in all stages of the design process and commit to sharing our collective knowledge to promote experimentation. Our community centers around courses, programs, workshops, and open work space to meet the needs and curiosities of Michigan students and instructors.

Responsibilities*

Operations & Maintenance (30%):

• Ensure that the lab space is clean, organized, and safe through the creation and implementation of clearing and maintenance procedures and schedules.
• Continually monitor, maintain, restock, and replace lab equipment, tools, PPE and other supplies
• Manage purchasing of lab supplies and equipment associated financial reconciliation
• Contribute to the development and refining of policies and protocols involving use of the space and equipment to meets users needs and align with C-SED's goals and mission (ex: project storage, student access)
• Ensure C-SED lab is in compliance with university environmental health and safety policies including managing regular safety audits and the proper storage, documentation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Present information at events and in meetings. (May require travel across campus to conduct work and attend meetings.)
• May require occasional work during early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Work with C-SED staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the C-SED Lab in meeting goals and learning objectives and utilize the results to refine and improve programming.

Facilitation & Curriculum Design (30%):

• Contribute to the design and facilitation of C-SED lab workshops on skills learning and connecting skills learning to socially engaged engineering & design.
• Follow pedagogical best practices to design, prepare, and deliver workshops and trainings utilizing new and existing C-SED educational assets for independent students and partner instructors
• Create online/LMS content (slides, videos, lectures, assessments, activities, etc.) to support student learning and training in the C-SED lab
• Provide formal and informal feedback and mentorship to guide student learning in the C-SED lab
• Collaborate with instructors who are integrating use of the lab into their courses on custom course sessions, equipment training, and other applicable learning materials.
• Hold regular office hours

Training, Supervision, & Mentorship (20%):

• Hire and supervise student staff in the C-SED lab, including: facilitating regular meetings, developing schedules, and identifying and mentoring student staff projects.
• Review and offer feedback on the work of student staff (orientation and training approaches, training guides, workshop planning and implementation)
• Facilitate train the trainer sessions for student staff who will serve as the primary trainers of student users in the safe use of tools and equipment including (but not limited to): power tools (miter saw, table saw, drill press), hand tools, electronics equipment (soldering, arduino), sewing and embroidery equipment, 3d printers, and more.
• Be available in person and over chat/email/phone to troubleshoot questions and needs of student staff as they arise, occasionally after hours.

Programming (20%):

• Create a safe, and welcoming environment for student staff and users working in the lab.
• Oversee the implementation of the C-SED Lab workshop schedule including scheduling, preparing student facilitators, giving feedback to student staff on workshop development, managing signups and outreach, and prepping necessary materials
• Coordinate with the C-SED team on how to best support students and faculty users that have specific needs (ex: developing protocols and standard operating procedures for tools, coordinating support for student teams, or coordinating with faculty to meet course needs).

Required Qualifications*

• Advanced degree in engineering, design or related field, or an equivalent combination of work experience.
• Experience with a wide variety of tools, equipment, and fabrication skills. (ex: woodworking, metal working, sewing, 3d printing, soldering, etc.)
• Significant experience (3+ years) in teaching and facilitation including the ability to patiently and respectfully instruct and guide students of all skill levels and backgrounds.
• Experience with human centered, user centered, and/or socially engaged design processes and skills (stakeholder engagement, ideation, prototyping, testing, etc.)
• Strong technical skills to support design-build-test activities. These skills should include proficiency in operating tools and equipment typically found in makerspaces including woodworking, 3D printing, electronics, and sewing machines..
• Ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies and facilitate other's learning of these systems and technologies
• Experience managing and supporting a small team.
• Strong ability and interest in forming mentor relationships with students.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, team-based environment.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This is an onsite position in Ann Arbor.

This role may require periodic commitments outside of regular business hours for evening or weekend sessions.

Additional Information

This is a term-limited position through June 30, 2027, with possible renewal based on funding extension.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.