Physics Laboratory Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

This will be a 10 month appointment, August - May.
Position Overview:

The UMD Department of Physics and Astronomy teaches general physics to most science and engineering majors at UMD, advanced physics to a smaller number of Physics and Engineering Physics majors, and has a Physics MS program that supports both the undergraduate teaching and faculty research. The research topics in the department include experimental neutrino physics, physical oceanography, soft condensed matter, quantum gravity, and exoplanets.

This Physics Senior Laboratory Coordinator position supports both teaching and research in the department, ensuring that both lower and upper level labs are setup and maintained, grad student teaching assistants scheduled, and demo equipment purchased, maintained, and deployed. Faculty research is supported in both the hardware and IT realms. This position also is in charge of the department machine shop. 

In-person 

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Major Job Duties:

60% Lab support/teaching support

• Teaching lab setup and teardown for each weeks labs
• Maintaining and procuring teaching lab equipment
• Maintaining teaching demo equipment and assisting with demonstrations
• Construct the schedules for teaching assistants and lab sections

10% Fabricating

• Assisting students and faculty with small jobs or developing items.
• Refurbishing items from labs and creating new apparatus.

5% Safety

• Serve as department safety coordinator and liaison with the university ES&H office
• Ensure that both teaching and research labs are following safety procedures

10% IT

• Maintenance of teaching lab computers
• Tracking product usage, acquiring new products, deploying images, troubleshooting.
• Assisting the department with IT needs outside of the labs 

15% Other Projects that dont really fit into these categories. Eg,

• Capital equipment management
• Coordination with Facilities Management
• One-time activities like cleaning and organizing of laboratory and storage space
• Other Department initiatives
• Making displays for the department
• Preparing lab/office spaces, space management 

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS plus at least four years of experience or advanced degree and two years of experience, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal eight years.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis and more than 50 pounds occasionally.
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, basic networking, and computer aided design.
• Ability to convey clear directions to students and faculty when doing laboratory activities.
• The ability to assess potential budget impacts of purchases and activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters or bachelors degree in physics, engineering, or a related field
• Ability to comprehend and implement physics lab techniques and procedures
• Demonstrated record of safety training and experience leading training sessions.
• Experience in welding, cutting and grinding of metals to fabricate various tools and Equipment.
• Experience with electro-mechanical repair and troubleshooting.
• Computer skills with linux, programming, and scientific computing. 

Pay Range: $25.72 - $29.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required application materials: Resume
Cover Letter- Optional

Priority Deadline: The application review will begin on 7/29/2026

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university.  A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.