Technical Assistants

The student and temporary employees of the Lab form the core of our team, distributing the knowledge and support to users of our facility in all academic roles and programs of study.

General Requirements

Individuals employed as Technical Assistants (TAs) in the Lab must:

  • be able to commit to at least one 4-hour shift* each week throughout the semester (the same 4-hours each week),
  • have strong comprehension of related materials and processes through prior experience, or demonstrate the interest and aptitude to gain such through a combination of web-based, video-based, and in-person training provided during scheduled work hours,
  • share an understanding and appreciation of safety precautions, policies, and standardized procedures,
  • have excellent communication skills and a collaborative and supportive mindset, to benefit the users of the Lab as well as peer TAs,
  • be proactive in identifying areas for improvement for themselves and the facility, including that which is necessary to maintain a clean and safe environment and tools,
  • demonstrate the ability to work independently by the end of their first year in the position, having completed the provided training and consistently working the scheduled hours,
  • mentor new TAs in the role after attaining associated skills and confidence of Lab area supervisor,
  • be able to use Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and PowerApps for communication, accessing information, and other business processes,
  • complete other duties, as required by Lab area as described in the sections below.

While having work-study funds available and the ability to make a 2+ year commitment are preferred, neither is required. However, we often receive more applications than we have available positions, so may take these factors and others into account when making hiring decisions.

*Individuals employed as Lab Store Technical Assistants and Digital Media Technical Assistants may have different scheduled work structures, as described in the sections below.

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the state of Massachusetts. There are limits to the number of hours an individual can work per week, depending on their enrollment status and the type of part-time hire they hold with Harvard University. Our payroll coordinator can help answer questions about this.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy.

If you anticipate needing an accommodation in order to apply to or successfully meet the essential job functions and requirements of the position(s) for which you apply, please visit the Harvard Workplace Accommodations page for more information.

Union Representation

Individuals currently enrolled as students at Harvard University who hold one or more of the Lab positions listed below are represented by the Fabrication Workers United (FWU-UAW) and are eligible for membership in that bargaining unit.

  • Woodshop Technical Assistant
  • Metal Shop Technical Assistant
  • CNC Router Technical Assistant
  • Zünd Cutter Technical Assistant
  • Laser and 3D Printing/Scanning Technical Assistant
  • Lab Store Technical Assistant

The Digital Media Technical Assistant position is not included in the FWU-UAW bargaining unit.

Lab Area Position Descriptions

Woodshop TAs are responsible for overseeing their peers’ use of wood shop equipment, providing guidance to users as needed and upon request, and maintaining the space and equipment of the wood shop. To do this successfully, TAs must possess a sound understanding of standard and safe use of the basic tools, strong leadership skills, and confidence in their decision making. Ideal candidates have previous woodworking and shop oversight experience in an educational setting.  TAs are expected to be self-motivated to both expand and maintain their knowledge of the most common issues seen in the woodshop.  As needed, TAs may fabricate items in fulfillment of online parts requests. Office duties related to tool lending, job-tracking, creation of web-based technical instruction and other documentation may also be assigned.

Requires ability to use handheld tools and other equipment essential to the Woodshop, must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, and access spaces within and around stationary equipment that might be tight or require being low to the ground (such as seated or lying on the ground) or elevated, such as on a stepstool. Must also have strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.

Starting Pay: $23.00/hour

In addition to in-person training and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as Woodshop Technical Assistants:

Metal Shop TAs are responsible for overseeing their peers’ use of metal shop equipment, providing guidance to users as needed and upon request, assisting in the fabrication of parts and assemblies in fulfillment of parts requests, and maintaining the space and equipment of the metal shop. Office duties related to job-tracking, creation of web-based technical instruction and other documentation may also be assigned.

Ideal candidates have significant experience with the tools in the metal shop in addition to training others in safe and effective use of those tools. At minimum, applicants should have an understanding of basic sheet metal construction methods and can demonstrate strong comprehension of basic MIG welding practices. TAs are expected to be self-motivated to both expand and maintain their knowledge of the most common processes and issues seen in the metal shop. Requires ability to use handheld tools and other equipment essential to the metal shop, must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, and access spaces within and around stationary equipment that might be tight or require being low to the ground (such as seated or lying on the ground) or elevated, such as on a stepstool.

Starting Pay: $23.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as Metal Shop Technical Assistants:

In addition to operating the CNC routers and performing routine maintenance duties, CNC TAs are available to students for consultation regarding all aspects of the machining process and file preparation. As needed, CNC TAs may fabricate items in fulfillment of online parts requests. Office duties related to job-tracking, creation of web-based technical instruction and other documentation may also be assigned.

Qualified applicants must have previous experience working with wood and a variety of other materials, and be comfortable working with power tools, mechanical systems, and the windows operating system. At minimum, applicants must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, access spaces within and around stationary equipment that might be tight or require being low to the ground (such as seated or lying on the ground) or elevated, such as on a stepstool, have strong verbal, graphic, and written communication skills, and be proficient in Rhino. Previous experience working with MasterCAM or other toolpath generation software is a plus. You may need to use software applications that do not meet digital accessibility standards.

Starting Pay: $23.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as CNC Router Technical Assistants:

In addition to operating the Zünd Cutter and performing routine maintenance duties, Zünd Cutter TAs are available to students for consultation regarding all aspects of the process and file preparation. As needed, Zünd TAs may fabricate items in fulfillment of online parts requests. Office duties related to job-tracking, creation of web-based technical instruction and other documentation may also be assigned.

Qualified applicants should have previous experience working with a variety of materials and must be comfortable working with tools, mechanical systems, and the windows operating system. At minimum, applicants must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, have strong verbal, written, and graphic communication skills and be proficient with creating 2D vector drawings in both Rhino and Adobe Illustrator; previous experience in parameter setup within a toolpath generation software is a plus. You may need to use software applications that do not meet digital accessibility standards.

Starting Pay: $22.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as
Zünd CutterTechnical Assistants:

In addition to operating and maintaining 3D printing, 3D scanning and laser cutting equipment, Laser/3D TAs are available to students for consultation regarding rapid prototyping processes and file preparation, as well as troubleshooting issues related to equipment use. TAs working in this position may operate laser cutting, 3D printing and scanning equipment to fabricate items in fulfillment of online parts requests. Additionally, TAs will operate and maintain the mat cutter and vacuum former, providing user assistance as needed. Office duties related to job-tracking, creation of web-based technical instruction and other documentation may also be assigned.

At minimum, applicants must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, access spaces within and around stationary equipment that might be tight or require being low to the ground (such as seated or lying on the ground) or elevated, such as on a stepstool, and have strong verbal, graphic, and written communication skills. Qualified applicants must be proficient in Rhino regarding the creation of printable mesh volumes and 2D drawings for laser cutting, in addition to being comfortable working with mechanical systems. You may need to use software applications that do not meet digital accessibility standards.

Starting pay: $22.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as
Laser and 3D Printing/Scanning Technical Assistants:

This position is responsible for overseeing use of general Lab areas. Tasks include restocking PPE and first-aid supplies, checking for compliance related to hazardous materials storage, use and disposal, checking for compliance related to other fabrication-related waste streams, and maintaining the hotwire foam cutters. This position fulfills online orders and is responsible for keeping the physical inventory of the store organized, updating the online marketplace, and regularly advising Lab staff on the need to reorder stock. Office duties related to the creation of graphic and web-based technical and other documentation may also be assigned.

At minimum, applicants must be able to lift 30 pounds and move large items, access spaces within and around stationary equipment that might be tight or require being low to the ground (such as seated or lying on the ground) or elevated, such as on a stepstool, have strong verbal, graphic, and written communication skills, and great customer service. Ideal candidates will have a familiarity with materials and processes commonly encountered in the Fabrication Lab to be able to advise students in material options.

* The Lab Store Technical Assistant is typically assigned four 1-hour shifts throughout the week, rather than a single 4-hour shift.  

Starting Pay: $21.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as
Lab Store Technical Assistants:

  • Fabrication Lab Orientation, Waiver and Release Agreement
  • Woodshop Safety Training
  • Hot Wire Foam Cutting Training
  • Spray Booth Training
  • Your Role in Security and Privacy

Supports the Fabrication Lab’s web presence. May be tasked with one or more projects entailing the creation of interactive training content, leading technical workshops, designing and integrating job workflows, making reports of data/metrics related to Lab usage, or creating and updating content on various web platforms such as Instagram, WordPress, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, and Atlassian Confluence.

Individuals working in this position may utilize a number of applications, including (but not limited to): MIRO, Vimeo, O365 applications, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Articulate Storyline 360, and others as needed.

* The Digital Media Technical Assistant is typically not assigned shifts. Regular meetings with supervisor are scheduled based on project needs.

Starting Pay: $22.00/hour

In addition to in-person and other training identified by your supervisor, the following self-paced online training is required of individuals employed as
Lab Store Technical Assistants:

Training Requirements

To gain entry to Lab spaces, all employees of the Fabrication Lab must, at minimum, complete the Fabrication Lab Orientation, Waiver and Release Agreement. This and other self-paced online courses authored by the Fabrication Lab and Environmental Health and Safety may be required of positions relevant to the location and nature of work performed. See the Training Page for details related to the training courses authored by the Fabrication Lab.

Given our roles in viewing and working with data belonging to students and others, employees of the Lab are also expected to complete “Your Role in Security and Privacy“, a self-paced online course offered by Harvard University Privacy and Security.

Additional training materials provided online and in-person have been developed for each area of the Lab. It is expected that all employees complete the identified training in a timely manner.