Research Technician, Fiber

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Job Title: Research Technician, Fiber Studio

Department: Fabrications Studios

Division:  Academic Affairs

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Studio Manager, Fiber Studio

Work Schedule: Part-time, 20 hours per week | regular business hours, evenings, weekends                   

Hourly Range: $20.22 - $24.73

Union: SEIU Local 500

General purpose: The Fiber Studio Studio Research Technician assists with the general operations of the Fiber Studio; supports fall and spring instruction and student homework access to the Fiber Studio following campus protocols; supports research in the studio; and has access to the facility to pursue individual research outside of work hours. This is a regular, 10 month position to be scheduled 20 hours/week, from August through May. 

Summary of Essential Functions 

• Assist with the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Fiber Studio, ensuring that all equipment operates effectively and safely, and supplies are stocked and available

• Assist with supervising student homework access to the Fiber Studio

• Serve as an educational resource and support Undergraduate and Graduate students regarding related processes of the Fiber Studio 

• Provide assistance to the Fiber Studio Manager 


Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintenance and preparation of the TC2 loom. 

• Assist with maintaining Environmental Health and Safety compliance, conducting EHS training for MICA employees working in the Fabrication Studios, maintaining required EHS documentation, enforcing EHS policies, modeling safe studio practices, and generally ensuring safety

• Provide technical support to students in the Fiber Studio 


• Assist with monitoring and maintaining equipment in the Fiber Studio

• Enforce studio policies and demonstrate the safe and appropriate use of equipment, tools, materials, techniques, and processes in the Fiber Studio

• Provide assistance and guidance to any Fiber Studio student workers (student technicians and/or work-study)

• Contribute to tutorials for processes and techniques used in the Fiber Studio

• Help maintain supplies for the studio by communicating with the Studio Manager

• Share research to enhance the Fiber Studio and classes held therein.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Practical working experience with Fiber materials, processes and techniques

• Good mechanical and material sensibility 


• Ability to assess and trouble-shoot household sewing machines and looms

• Strong organizational skills 


• Ability to collaborate with students and faculty 


• Good communication skills

Minimum qualifications: 

• Bachelor, Fine Art or a four-year degree with experience working in a Fiber studio 



• Demonstrated experience operating household sewing machines, floor looms, and/or TC2 Digital Jacquard loom

• Required to lift, pull and carry, up to 45 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience working with the Adobe suite and Google applications

• Demonstrated experience working with, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance of knitting machines

• Demonstrated experience working as a technician in a fiber studio, preferably in an academic environment 

Experience working with the following: 


• Knitting machines

• Skills in digital embroidery machines

• Skills in pattern making

• Skills in fiber digital fabrication methods