Senior Laboratory Technician

The Senior Lab Technician supports critical operations in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC), reporting directly to the Department Chair and the faculty teaching the laboratory sessions. This position establishes and operates standard laboratory equipment and prepares experimental materials using laboratory protocols and safety guidelines.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Assisting with teaching the laboratory sessions of CE334L Mechanical Behavior of Materials and CE467 Geotechnical Engineering.
• Helping with the teaching laboratories, including preparing the laboratory for each lab session, training the teaching assistant on using the equipment and data acquisition systems, operating the equipment, performing necessary maintenance and calibration, ordering materials and supplies, and fixing equipment as necessary.
• Fabricating test samples and test fixtures using metalworking, woodworking, etc., for the laboratory and based on departmental needs.
• Rigging, moving, and disposing of test samples and fixtures.
• Operating heavy machinery, including welders, forklifts, overhead cranes, etc.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Cleaning and organizing the laboratory to maintain a safe and orderly work environment for all.
• Assisting with inventory tracking in the department.
• Train and assist other laboratory staff and students in operating testing and teaching equipment.
• Perform and assist in performing other research-related laboratory testing.
• Conforming to and enforcing laboratory safety policies and protocols in the teaching labs.
• Purchasing laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Dropping off and picking up materials and supplies from local stores/vendors according to the laboratory’s needs.
• Interfacing with USC FPM, EH&S, and other vendors related to equipment purchases, laboratory/facilities renovations/upgrades, and safety compliance.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chair, including but not limited to event support and department maintenance requests.

Job duties may be added or modified as needed.

The Senior Lab Technician is required to maintain a USC P-Card for laboratory purchases and maintain a valid driver’s license in California. This is an onsite position at USC’s University Park Campus in Los Angeles, California. This position is not eligible for remote work.

The hourly rate range for this position is $28.68 - $32.83. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the mission of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Viterbi staff are expected to facilitate a culture of support and service, model civility and respectful engagement at all times, maintain the highest ethical standards, and maintain strict confidentiality across all facets of their work.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education and experience in area of instruction providing strong knowledge of lab protocols and safety guidelines and computerized analysis methods. Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and schedule activities to meet both short-term and long-term deadlines. Knowledge of database operations and data acquisition.