Learning Services Specialist

Job Responsibility:

Date Posted: 05/23/2025 Req ID: 43049 Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science Department: Dept of Physics Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto) Position Number: 00008344

Description:

About us: The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada's leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world. The Department of Physics is part of a dynamic academic community offering programs and courses to undergraduate and graduate students. We provide a comprehensive set of fundamental tools that can be brought to bear on many problems across a variety of fields. With world-class laboratories and outstanding faculty, the department fosters an in-depth understanding of an extremely diverse array of systems. Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto, our department is affiliated with various departments, institutes and research organizations, providing a broad network for our staff and students. Your opportunity: Under supervision of the Director of Learning and Research Services, this position provides support to the technical operations of learning programs in the Physics Department. Responsibilities include providing support for classroom demonstrations of physics phenomena, many of which must be staged in very large lecture halls. This position assists in the operation of teaching laboratories, mainly through insuring that all equipment are functional and available to students as required by course schedules; provides technical advice and support to teaching faculty and teaching assistants in the use of classroom technology (including audio-visual and videotelephony) and demonstration apparatus; interacts with students during equipment disbursement and when equipment malfunctions; and provides support for outreach and publicity activities of the Physics Department by assisting with the development and deployment of displays and demonstrations. Specific responsibilities include assisting with the design, development, construction, testing, debugging, modifying, repairing and documentation of specialized laboratory and demonstration equipment. The incumbent provides suggestions about the purchase of new equipment, maintenance of existing equipment, and about maintenance and necessary renovations to laboratory spaces to the Director of the Physics Learning Resources Centre and to academic staff. The incumbent provides occasional assistance for other Learning Services activities. Duties are moderately complex in nature. Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, assembling and setting-up material, equipment and supplies according to the needs of the facility
• Setting-up lab/workshop according to research and/or course schedules
• Overseeing day-to-day operational needs for one or more labs/workshops
• Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures to students and/or employees on experiment set ups and lab techniques
• Analyzing and recommending suitable materials and methods of approaching fabrication and/or lab work
• Keeping well-informed on policies, rules, regulations and guidelines
• Maintaining information in databases
• Setup and maintain departmental audio-visual equipment (i.e. projectors, video and sound recording equipment, microphones, electronic podiums, etc.)

Essential Qualifications:

• Advanced College Diploma (3 years) in Engineering or Technology or acceptable combination of equivalent experience and education.
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in the operation of laboratory equipment and in general laboratory operations
• Demonstrated experience with instrument control software (e.g. LabVIEW).
• Experience implementing and enforcing safety policies in a laboratory.
• Must be very skilled and confident with a wide variety of laboratory and computer technologies
• Must be able to quickly learn and use new technologies
• Must have knowledge of laboratory safety policies and procedures including the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Must be proficient with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Must be familiar with audio-visual equipment (i.e. projectors, video and sound recording equipment, microphones, electronic podiums, etc)
• Should have good electronics skills, include use of oscilloscopes, signal generators, multimeters, power supplies, calibration equipment, etc.
• Must be good communicator with good interpersonal skills

Assets (Nonessential):

• Should have soldering skills
• Should be familiar with basic machine shop tools and equipment (i.e. drill press, saws, power and hand tools)
• Should be comfortable working with cryogenic equipment and materials
• Should be comfortable working with undergraduate laboratory experimental equipment that may involve radioactive sources, X-Rays, lasers, high magnetic fields, compressed gases, high or low temperatures, chemicals, high pressure or vacuum.
• Some knowledge of physics in post-secondary courses/education highly desirable.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Approachable
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Team player

Closing Date: 06/03/2025, 11:59PM ET Employee Group: USW Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing Schedule: Full-Time Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 10 - $70,844. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $90,595. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. Job Category: Engineering / Technical

Lived Experience Statement Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.