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Re: Science Lab Staff



Hi Paul. We have basically a similar situation here. No full time lab
director or staff for each discipline. This makes it very difficult, as
there is a significant turn-over among the part-time staff.

How does your lab staff cope across such a broad front?

In our department, each discipline has at least one part-time technician
and, in some cases, one or more student aides.

What are the responsibilities of the staff and its director?

We recently wrote the following job description for our physics technician.

1. Set up and take down equipment in the Physics Laboratory for weekly labs
and for lecture demonstrations.
2. Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain electronic and physics laboratory
equipment.
3. Maintain the computers and associated software in the Physics Laboratory.
4. Take regular inventory of equipment and supplies and organize and
maintain an equipment stockroom.
5. Maintain laboratory manuals, instruction booklets, and lab setup
procedure notebooks.
6. Order from vendors, or purchase locally, any needed supplies.
7. Ensure that student handouts are prepared and photocopied by the office
as needed.
8. Ensure that laboratory and shop facilities are clean and safe.
9. Assist the faculty in the development of new physics and astronomy
demonstrations and laboratory exercises.
10. Assist the faculty in the evaluation of software used in the Physics
Laboratory.
11. Assist the Physics Program in its community outreach efforts.
12. Assist the faculty with the instruction in the Physics Laboratory and
with physics and astronomy demonstrations.
13. Work collaboratively with faculty and other laboratory technicians,
particularly regarding scheduling of equipment usage.
14. Train other lab technicians and lab aides as needed.
15. Attend meetings Physics & Astronomy Committee, when requested to do so
by the Physics & Astronomy Lead Faculty.
16. Perform other duties as assigned by the Physics & Astronomy Lead Faculty.

How does your lab staff maintain dialog with the faculty?

With great difficulty! We also have a large contingent of part-time
faculty and their schedules do not always match those of the part-time
technicians. I usually try to maintain dialog with both groups and try to
make sure labs are run smoothly, demonstrations are ready to go, etc.

Is your lab staff responsible for lecture demo equipment
or only for lab equipment?

Both. See above.

Is there an Internet forum (listserv or other) for college
science lab directors?

Yes. Are you familiar with TAP-L, a listserv for physics lab/demo
directors and staff? It's a great forum!

Let me know if you have any questions. I am also interested in what others
like us are doing. Regards.

Alex
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