Civil Engineering Laboratory Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lab and Academic Specialist
Job No: 26092
Department: Civil, Environ & Geospatial Engrg
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Engineering
Applications Close:
Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.
The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.
Summary
Michigan Technological University is seeking a Lab and Academic Specialist for our Civil Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering department. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Laboratory and Academic Specialist to manage and enhance our civil engineering laboratory courses. This role is crucial for providing students with hands-on experience, maintaining cutting-edge equipment, and contributing to the development of our practical curriculum. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and a passion for teaching and laboratory innovation.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
1. Design, develop, and implement new laboratory experiments and course materials for on-campus civil engineering laboratory courses to ensure alignment with curriculum objectives and industry standards.
2. Deliver engaging and practical instruction for multiple sections of civil engineering laboratory courses, guiding students through practical exercises and reinforcing theoretical concepts.
3. Provide hands-on support and technical guidance to students during laboratory sessions, troubleshooting equipment, and assisting with experimental procedures, whether in a physical lab or a virtual/remote environment.
4. Manage, maintain, and upgrade civil engineering laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software to ensure optimal functionality, safety, and readiness for instructional use.
5. Oversee inventory of laboratory supplies and components, initiating procurement as needed.
6. Develop and enforce laboratory safety protocols and procedures for on-campus lab settings.
7. Assist the department Chair and/or the curriculum committee in maintaining documentation in support of college (ABET) and university (Higher Learning Council) accreditation activities and in the preparation of the associated self-study reports.
8. Assess student performance in laboratory settings, providing constructive feedback on technical skills and understanding.
9. Coordinate and administer the curriculum proposal process (binder process) with the department chair.
10. Serve as liaison and host for prospective student inquiries and visits.
11. Collaborate with Civil Engineering faculty to integrate laboratory activities with lecture content and contribute to continuous course improvement.
12. Develop and deliver departmental outreach activities.
13. 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.
14. Other duties as assigned.
15. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
16. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or a closely related field.
Required Experience
• One year of experience in industry or academia in a civil engineering related position
Desirable Education and/or Experience
• Experience with education- or research-grade civil engineering laboratory software (e.g., MATLAB, DASYLab, LabVIEW, PASCO Capstone, or similar).
• Prior teaching or instructional experience at the university level, including experience with lab course delivery.
• Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment practices.
• Experience with safety protocols and best practices in a laboratory environment
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
• Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting, including equipment operation, maintenance, and experimental design.
• Strong understanding of fundamental civil engineering concepts and practical applications.
• Ability to teach lab courses in at least two of the following civil engineering areas: civil engineering materials, water resources, or soil mechanics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively instruct and assist students in both on-campus and online formats.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work with faculty members to develop and deliver course material in lectures and/or laboratories.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in recruitment activities, for example, summer youth programs.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with people with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1
FLSA Status
Exempt
Appointment Term
12 months
Shift
Pay Rate/Salary
The minimum salary for this position is $60,000 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Department Chair
Posting Type
Internal & External
Dependent on Funding
No
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Advertised: 21 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close:
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