Careers

About UMass Amherst 

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.  

Job Summary 

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a Laboratory Manager for instruction and research labs. The manager will provide technical support for research and instructional programs and day-to-day manager of department facilities.

Essential Functions 

• Maintains, inspects, repairs, tests, calibrates, adjusts, reconfigures, and operates electrical systems, computers, electronic and mechanical equipment for research and instruction laboratories, portable power tools and electrical and electronic testing equipment and devices according to specifications, schematics, technical manuals, and diagrams. Maintains records, logs and schedules of equipment installation, maintenance, and repairs.
• Prepares and maintains all equipment, supplies, and computing resources for ECE instructional laboratories.
• Operates and provides instruction and training to researchers on proper laboratory techniques, general laboratory equipment, specialized laboratory instrumentation and software. Trains and supervises users of the departmental lab space. Maintains user schedule, users list and assists with reviewing and determining usage fees. May supervise graduate and undergraduate student assistants. Assists with supervising graduate and undergraduate students for lab maintenance and safety.
• Manages all ECE lab tools and equipment on loan.
• Responds promptly and appropriately to emergencies or urgent issues as they arise.
• Orders instrumentation, equipment, consumable lab supplies, and chemicals for ECE research and instructional labs, in consultation with faculty, staff, Research Assistants (RAs), and students as needed for replacement and additions. Responsible for inventory control including consumables (test samples, sensors, cabling, etc.). Manages incoming packages. Schedules and coordinates all deliveries to ECE instructional labs.
• Oversees and schedules tasks for continuous improvement in departmental laboratories. Develops and maintains a preventative maintenance program for the facilities and provides preventative maintenance in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
• Installs new equipment including but not limited to engines, dynamometers, controls, pumps, valves, etc.
• Modifies, debugs, and implements software (e.g., LabView, Matlab, etc.) used for ECE course instruction.
• Implements new apparatus, experiments, control software, Graphical User Interface (GUI) and infrastructure.
• Prints posters for departmental events (e.g., senior design project, honors theses, etc).

Other Functions 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• May take on role of lab safety coordinator for the department.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Bachelor's Degree (preferably in engineering or related field), with 1-3 years relevant work experience.
• Ability to work in a courteous, collaborative, and collegial manner with faculty, other staff, students, international scholars, and visitors with diverse backgrounds and training.
• Ability to physically move lab equipment, tools, and materials when necessary.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to give instruction in a precise, understandable manner.
• Proficient in instruction and operation of undergraduate laboratory equipment.
• Skilled in use of specialized and standard shop and hand tools.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Ability to work with Linux, Windows OS, MS Office (specifically Excel); demonstrated knowledge/experience with engineering applications such as Matlab, LabVIEW. Computer and IT literate, with knowledge of instrument control, word processing, data management, acquisition programs, and computational software.
• Experience with computers, microcontrollers, and data acquisition equipment and software.
• Knowledge and use of tools, testing, equipment, materials, and standard practices that apply to research laboratories.
• Knowledge of sanitation and sterilization equipment and procedures.
• Knowledge of fundamental principles of electronics, vacuum systems, and pumps.
• Ability to read and interpret sketches, specifications, technical literature, written and oral instruction.
• Ability to understand and apply the policies, rules, regulations, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to complete projects within a given timeline and to meet deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to learn operation of new instrumentation and software.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions 

• Typical lab/classroom environment.
• Ability to lift more than 50 pounds.

Work Schedule 

• Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30 pm. Occasional out-of-hour work may be required when responding to emergencies. 
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.  

Salary Information 

PSU Level 26

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Upload your resume and cover letter, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.