General Summary

Plan and perform the design, fabrication, repair, alteration, and maintenance of complex electronic, optical, and mechanical scientific equipment and instrumentation used for teaching and research; and provide expert technical and training assistance to faculty, staff and students. Position functions at an expert technical level, performing all functions for the maintenance of a large and complex inventory of equipment, with minimal guidance and supervision.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Designs, repairs and maintains all classroom demonstration equipment used to supplement lectures, instructional and research laboratories, and project equipment for the department.
  • Updates and installs software packages used for teaching Astronomy classes.
• Oversees Physics & Astronomy Machine Shop and Maker Space operations, rooms, and equipment.
• Maintains and upgrades inventory of astronomical equipment, as needed, at Sherzer Observatory, EMU Planetarium, and Fish Lake Environmental Center in Lapeer, MI.
  • Also, trains and manages faculty, lecturers, staff, and students to operate the equipment located at these facilities.
• Oversees and facilitates the use of Sherzer Observatory, EMU Planetarium and Fish Lake Environmental Center for outreach to K-12 classes, prospective EMU students and their families, the EMU community, and the Washtenaw County community.
• May teach up to one astronomy course per semester (i.e., ASTR 315 or ASTR 320) that utilizes expertise on the use of the EMU Planetarium and astronomical equipment (e.g., equipment in Sherzer Observatory and Fish Lake Environmental Center).
  • It is expected that courses of three credit hours (like ASTR 315 and ASTR 320) will take approximately 10 hours per week (three contact hours, office hours, and time for course preparation and grading), and activity in areas numbered 1 through 4 above would be commensurately reduced.
• Perform related departmental duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master of Science in Physics, Astronomy, General Science Education, or related is required.

Knowledge of astronomical equipment (e.g. telescopes and associated equipment and software), electronic circuitry, optics, computer hardware and software, and scientific equipment, instruments, and laboratory practices with four years of experience is required in order to design, fabricate, maintain, and repair complex scientific equipment and instrumentation.

The ability to prepare, read, and interpret complex schematics, diagrams, and operating instructions is required.

The ability to communicate effectively with the public while conducting Planetarium shows and outreach using Sherzer Observatory and the Fish Lake facilities is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in teaching Astronomy courses and instruction of Astronomy labs is highly preferred.

Special Instructions:

N/A