New 
Instructional Lab Specialist
 University of Illinois Chicago | |
life insurance, paid time off, retirement plan
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 United States, Illinois, Chicago | |
 May 16, 2026 | |
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Instructional Lab Specialist Instructional Lab Specialist Hiring Department: School of Art Location: Chicago, IL USA Requisition ID: 1040970 Posting Close Date: 5pm CST on June 1, 2026 Salary: The budgeted salary range for these positions is $55,000 to $60,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. Benefits Eligible Position: These positions are intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. About the University of Illinois Chicago UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago. Position Summary: The Department of Art in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) seeks two full-time Instructional Lab Specialists for the future School of Art to support a growing number of undergraduate and graduate-level studio courses. One position supports Moving Image and New Media-related technology, including both analog and digital formats, 3-D modeling and animation software, and audio-visual installations. The other position supports studio arts practices in ceramics, sculpture and material fabrication, printmaking, painting, and drawing. Having these two distinct positions in mind, we emphasize the importance of interdisciplinarity in both. With the administrative oversight of the Director of the School of Art, and in consultation and collaboration with faculty and other Instructional Lab Specialists in the School, each Instructional Lab Specialist manages all aspects of area needs, supporting faculty, students, coursework preparations, programs, and classrooms. Essential Duties: Independently instruct and supervise students in the use of lab equipment and facilities to increase student self-sufficiency. Establish and implement guidelines for the proper use of tools, technology, and equipment, as well as effective policies and procedures to enhance the health, safety, knowledge, and care of equipment and facility operations. Evaluate student readiness to use specialized equipment and ensure adherence to safe operating procedures. Organize and maintain classrooms and workspaces. Monitor and service tools and equipment, ensuring ongoing performance and safety. Coordinate and supervise equipment and technique workshops/demonstrations that fall outside class content. Supervise and manage equipment checkout and graduate and undergraduate student workers. Manage the budget for course lab fees and general lab facilities, including the procurement of tools, equipment, and materials from necessary suppliers, both locally and online, as needed for class curricula and to maintain contemporary, operational labs and facilities. Reconcile purchases and track expense reporting. Maintain a detailed inventory of all equipment, software, and product licenses, and coordinate the purchasing of lab tools, technology, and supplies in consultation with fellow lab specialists, faculty, and the school director. Maintain a breadth of knowledge across all equipment, staying contemporary with industry standards and creative disciplines. Minimum Qualifications Required: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of two years of experience in a visual arts laboratory setting or comparable setting that meets the job duties noted. Preferred Qualifications: MFA degree with experience working in a visual arts studio-based lab in an academic institution. Moving Image and New Media related technology: Candidate should be richly versed in moving image production experience, including image capture, sound recording, and design, lighting, and post-production techniques. They should be fluent in digital video cameras, Super8 and 16mm cameras, lighting equipment, digital audio recorders and microphone techniques, projectors, monitors, various legacy video and film equipment, and accessories. Digital Edit suites and a 5.1 channel sound mixing studio, darkroom hand processing, processing machines, contact printers, and film dryers. Multiformat film/video transfer suite. 16mm flatbed editing machines, 16mm and digital animation stands. Setting up and managing a Render Farm; familiarity with Blender, Rhino, Maya, Fusion 360, the Adobe Editing Suite, and other software; and Classroom audio-visual setup and support, including hybrid event setup and Public Address support for events. Studio Arts: Candidate should be experienced in overseeing and maintaining a high-intensity woodshop that includes a variety of stationary power tools, including a table saw, lathe, belt/disc sander, miter saw, band saw, drill press, jointer/planer, small specialty hand tools, pneumatic air tools, with thorough safety protocols as per a public institution. Equally, the candidate should be familiar with operating both a ceramics kiln and a glass kiln, overseeing ceramics workshop equipment and glazing practices, glass fusing/slumping practices, and setting up and maintaining a printmaking lab focused on screen printing, monotype, etching, and woodblock. Familiarity with the basic operations of a metal shop and its equipment is also preferred. Additionally, the candidate should have a working knowledge of exhibition space maintenance, including the operations and maintenance of various lighting systems, setting up and maintaining audio-visual classroom operations, and supporting the installation and deinstallation of multi-disciplinary exhibitions that include moving image, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, new media, and other artistic media. To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter that specifically mentions which of the two positions you are applying for (MI or St), and the names and contact information for three references by 5pm CST on June 1, 2026. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. To apply, visit https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/19783?c=uic Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-1cd5ddacaab6ba41a63ecc2618782840 | |