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Student Employment

The Physics and Astronomy department offers a number of student employment jobs including tutors, graders, and lab assistants. A job description for each position is provided here, as well as on the Student Employment website, where you will also find current listings for any available student jobs in the department.

The primary contact person for student employment positions in Physics is Brian Adams. Please contact him if you have any questions about student jobs in the Physics department. If you are interested in Grader or Research Assistant positions then you should also contact the faculty member who is teaching the course or conducting the research in a given semester (as noted in the job descriptions). For information and job descriptions about Office Assistant positions available in the Physics/Geology Department office, please contact our Department Coordinator, Kristine Spangard.

  • Physics Tutor – Level 2

    Job ID 4108
    Position ID S99144
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Physics Tutor – Level 2 duties and responsibilities include:

    1. Tutor students in physics coursework during scheduled shifts in the Physics Tutoring Room (OLRI 159).
    2. Monitor and track student use of your tutoring services, and the use of computers and equipment in the introductory laboratories.
    3. Arrive on time for assigned tutoring shift and unlock the doors to introductory labs.
    4. Remain in the tutoring room for your entire shift, except those times when you are monitoring or assisting students in the adjoining intro labs.
    5. Ensure that the tutoring and intro lab rooms are locked up at the end of your shift.
    6. Communicate with your supervisor regularly, particularly to report problems encountered by a wide range of students using the tutoring services.
    7. Perform additional miscellaneous departmental duties (such as Grading homework problems for Physics courses — see Physics Grader job description) as assigned.

    Job Requirements
    Please do not apply for this position if you do not meet all of the following requirements:

    1. Applicants must have completed (at a minimum) both PHYS 226 and PHYS 227 with a grade of “B” or better. Special consideration will be given to those having completed PHYS 331 or higher coursework.
    2. Must be very comfortable with the subject matter of the courses listed above.
    3. Must be able to work Sunday through Thursday evenings. Shifts typically run from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.
    4. Must be reliable, punctual, and trustworthy.
    5. Verbal communication (or “People”) skills” and additional coursework in physics and mathematics are a plus.

    Hours 3.0 to 9.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.00/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Grader – Level 1

    Job ID 5089
    Position ID S98811
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Graders for 100-level Physics & Astronomy courses (PHYS 113 in Fall 2011).
    Job functions, responsibilities and/or special projects will include:

    1. Grade homework assignments for the individual faculty member who is the instructor of the course applied for.
    2. Set and meet deadlines agreeable to to pick up and drop off grading assignments.
    3. May be assigned other duties such as Tutoring, Grading, or lab setup for other courses if needed.

    Skills acquired or developed on the job:

    1. Knowledge of the subject matter of the course is enhanced.
    2. Excellent preparation for the GRE subject test in Physics (particularly when grading for upper division physics courses).
    3. Improves analytical and problem-solving skills.

    Job Requirements
    Please do not apply for this job unless you meet the following qualifications:

    1. At a minimum candidates must have completed PHYS 113 or (preferably) PHYS 460 with grade of “A”.
    2. Must be able to establish clear grading criteria and expectations between you and the faculty member teaching the course.
    3. Must be reliable and able to work independently.

    NOTE: You must obtain permission from both the instructor of the course for which you are interested in grading and Brian Adams before applying for this job.

    Hours 1.0 to 6.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $7.75/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Grader – Level 2

    Job ID 4109
    Position ID S98809
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Graders for Physics 226 and Physics 227.
    Job functions, responsibilities and/or special projects will include:

    1. Grade homework assignments for the individual faculty member who is the instructor of record for the course applied for.
    2. Set and meet deadlines agreeable to both you and the instructor for you to pick up new grading assignments and drop off completed grading assignments.
    3. May be assigned other duties such as Tutoring, Grading, or lab setup for other courses if needed.

    Skills acquired or developed on the job:

    1. Knowledge of the subject matter of the course is enhanced.
    2. Excellent preparation for the GRE subject test in Physics (particularly when grading for upper division physics courses).
    3. Improves analytical and problem-solving skills.

    Job Requirements

    Please do not apply for this job unless you meet the following qualifications:

    1. At a minimum, candidates must have completed both PHYS 226 and PHYS 227 with grade of B+ or better.
    2. Must be able to establish clear grading criteria and expectations between you and the faculty member teaching the course.
    3. Must be reliable and able to work independently.

    NOTE: You must obtain permission from both the instructor of the course for which you are interested in grading and Brian Adams before applying for this job.

    Available Openings 3

    Hours 2.0 to 9.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.00/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Grader – Level 3

    Job ID 5090
    Position ID S99150
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Graders for 300-level and above Physics & Astronomy courses (PHYS 348 and 461 in Spring 2012).
    Job functions, responsibilities and/or special projects will include:

    1. Grade homework assignments for the individual faculty member who is the instructor of the course applied for.
    2. Set and meet deadlines agreeable to both you and the instructor for you to to pick up and drop off completed grading assignments.
    3. May be assigned other duties such as Tutoring, Grading, or lab setup for other courses if needed.

    Skills acquired or developed on the job:

    1. Knowledge of the subject matter of the course is enhanced.
    2. Excellent preparation for the GRE subject test in Physics (particularly when grading for upper division physics courses).
    3. Improves analytical and problem-solving skills.

    Job Requirements
    Please do not apply for this job unless you meet the following qualifications:

    1. At a minimum, candidates must have completed physics coursework up to and including the course they wish to grade for, with a solid understanding of the material and grades of B+ or better.
    2. Must be able to establish clear grading criteria and expectations between you and the faculty member teaching the course.
    3. Must be reliable and able to work independently.

    NOTE: You must obtain permission from both the instructor of the course for which you are interested in grading and Brian Adams before applying for this job.

    Hours 1.0 to 6.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.25/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Lab Assistant II – Level 1

    Job ID 5091
    Position ID
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Lab Assistant for PHYS 130 – Science of Renewable Energy (or other 100-level lab course)

    • Assist with set-up, testing, and take-down of lab equipment for PHYS 130 labs.
    • Each lab station must be checked to ensure that equipment is working properly, and that the lab classroom is ready to go before the first lab section meets each week. Any problems need to be reported to the instructor as soon as possible.
    • Additional responsibilities may be assigned, including shopping for and inventory of replenish-able equipment and supplies. Contact Prof. Jim Doyle if you have any further question about this position.

    Job Requirements

    1. Must have completed PHYS 130 and/or PHYS 226/227. Additional lab coursework and/or Physics/ES research lab experience is greatly preferred.
    2. Must be available to meet with the instructor (Prof. Jim Doyle) at least once weekly to obtain instructions on setting up and taking down the labs.

    Hours 2.0 to 4.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $7.75/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Lab Assistant II – Level 2

    Job ID 4411
    Position ID S99149
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description
    Lab Assistant for PHYS 226 and PHYS 227.

    • Assist with set-up, testing, and take-down of lab equipment for labs in PHYS 226 and 227.
    • Each lab station must be checked to ensure that equipment is working properly, and that the lab classroom is ready to go before the first lab section meets each week. Any problems need to be reported to the lab instructor as soon as possible.
    • Additional responsibilities may be assigned, including shopping for and inventory of replenish-able equipment and supplies.

    Job Requirements

    1. Must have completed both PHYS 226 and PHYS 227 with an “B” grade or better. Additional physics coursework (especially labs) is a plus.
    2. Must be available to meet with your supervisor twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays for instructions on setting up and taking down the labs

    Hours 1.0 to 4.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.00/hour

    Time Frame Academic Year
    Start Date Wednesday, September 07, 2011
    End Date Monday, May 07, 2012

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Lab Assistant II – Level 3

    Job ID 5092
    Position ID
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description Lab Assistant for PHYS 331 – Modern Physics Labs (or other 300/400 level lab course)

    • Assist with set-up, testing, and take-down of lab equipment for labs in PHYS 331. Each lab station must be checked to ensure that equipment is working properly, and that the lab classroom is ready to go before the first lab section meets each week. Any problems need to be reported to the instructor as soon as possible.
    • Additional responsibilities may be assigned, including shopping for and inventory of replenish-able equipment and supplies.

    Job Requirements

    1. At a minimum the applicant must have completed Physics coursework up to and including PHYS 331 with an “B+” grade or better. Additional physics coursework (especially labs) is a plus. Special consideration will be given to those with prior Physics research lab experience.
    2. Must be available to meet with the instructor of the course at least once weekly for instructions on setting up and taking down the labs.

    Hours 2.0 to 4.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.25/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Research Assistant – Level 3

    Job ID 5112
    Position ID
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description Research assistant to work in experimental research on graphene with Prof. James Heyman. Hours: informal, typically four hours per week.

    Job Requirements Candidates must have completed PHYS-331 (Modern Physics) and PHYS-348 (Lab Instrumentation) with grades of B- or better. Experience in graphene research preferred.

    Hours 2.0 to 4.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.25/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127

    Observatory Public Night Coordinator – Level 3

    Job ID 4412
    Position ID S99146
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description

    1. Plan, schedule, advertise and present weekly Public Nights at the Observatory.
    2. Supervise and assist students with observatory class activities and projects on observing nights related to PHYS 440 (spring) or PHYS 120 (fall).
    3. Provide special observing sessions or tours for small groups as requested.
    4. Assist the Observatory Manager and Professor Cannon with routine maintenance and upkeep of the observatory, including equipment inventory or other special projects as requested.
    5. With the assistance of your supervisor and Professor Cannon, train and supervise Observatory Public Night Assistants (as needed).
    6. Potential to expand current public outreach programs—possibly off-site or off-campus.

    Job Requirements
    Please do not apply for this position unless you meet the following qualifications:

    1. Must be fully trained in the use of the Macalester College Observatory, with at least one year of prior experience. Do not apply for this position before first obtaining permission from both Brian Adams and Professor John Cannon
    2. Must have completed PHYS 440 with an “A” grade
    3. Must be a self-starter—able to work independently.
    4. Good “people skills” are a must.

    Hours 0.5 to 8.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.50/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127
  • Observatory Public Night Assistant

    Job ID 4413
    Position ID S99147
    Job Type On-Campus Jobs – Academic Year
    Employer Physics
    Job Category Physics

    Job Description 1. Present or assist with Public Nights at the Macalester College Observatory. 2. Assist with additional special observing sessions or observatory tours for small groups as requested. 3. Assist the Public Nights Coordinator and Observatory Manager with routine maintenance and upkeep of the observatory, including equipment inventory or other special projects as requested.

    Job Requirements

    1. Must have training in and prior experience with the use of the Macalester College Observatory.
    2. Must have completed PHYS 120 with an “A” grade.
    3. Must be able to work one evening a week, as determined by the Public Nights Coordinator and/or the Observatory Manager.
    4. Good “people skills” are important.

    Hours 0.5 to 4.0 hours per week
    Hourly Rate $8.00/hour

    Primary Contact Brian M. Adams
    Email [email protected]
    Phone Number 651-696-6456
    Work Location Olin-Rice Hall, Room 127