University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Employment Opportunities

The CU Community Fab is a cutting-edge, exciting and fun place to work. Our hiring patterns vary by time of the year and programs and grants, feel free to get involved as a volunteer to be the first to hear about future opportunities.

As a place where a lot of innovation happens, the Fab Lab depends on and greatly values cognitive diversity. Therefore we are especially interested in hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, and kindly encourage all sorts of people to apply.

Volunteer Opportunities

Want to volunteer with us? We have a number of opportunities from open hours and event support; workshops and teaching support; community and youth programing; marketing and photography; summer camp teaching high school internship. If you want the Fab Lab to grow and improve, while having a good time in the lab, we’d love to have your help!

Student Hourly Work Opportunities

Are you a UIUC student looking to work at the Fab Lab? We’re currently looking for Student Hourly Workers and Support Staff. Ideal candidates would have spring and fall in-person availability. Student hourlies will be working hands-on with community members and students on various fabrication and design projects during the Fab Lab’s Open Hours. If availability allows, this position can also lead into supporting and teaching youth workshops and camps during the summer.  2D Design or 3D Design software experience is preferred, but not required.

UIUC Student Hourly

Description: The CU Community Fab Lab is seeking a Lab Assistant to give lab tours, help patrons with their projects, work on campus and community events, and staff workshops at the lab. This may consist of helping people generate ideas for projects, use the lab machines and tools, produce physical objects out of their ideas, and assisting in keeping the lab clean, organized, and documented. We invite those who have the maker mindset- curiosity, playfulness, empathy, and interest in inquiry and who are willing to learn and teach new technologies and maker techniques to serve our community! 

Qualifications and Preferences: 

  • Skills and experience with rapid fabrication technologies are preferred – electronic cutters, laser engravers, screen printing, small board electronics (e.g. Arduino), e-textiles, digital embroidery machines, and 3D printers/scanners.
  • Teaching skills and experience with creative design and making with technologies are preferred.
  • Must engage in diverse users respectfully (e.g., youth, adults, both university and non-university affiliated community members, professionals, hobbyists, people with different abilities, makers in a range of skill levels, and more). 
  • Strong verbal skills and customer service skills are required. 
  • Basic digital literacy skills are required–Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Apps, basic file management concepts with Windows/OSX, and online communication tools, such as Google Doc, Calendar, email, and more. 

Application Procedures: 

  • We suggest you first come in to meet us at the Fab Lab (1301 S Goodwin, Urbana) to talk to existing staff and get a sense for what the job and workplace are like, if you haven’t already done so. (Open Hours: Sun 1-6pm; Mon-Thu 5-9pm)
  • Submit a resume and a cover letter to communityfablab@gmail.com. Feel free to include any relevant portfolios or references, if you have any. 

People of all majors, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, and ability status are strongly encouraged to apply. May require a background check.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTship Starting Fall 2024

Preference will be given to those submitting their applications on or before March 21st, 2024.

The CU Community Fab Lab is an open, collaborative, capacity-building makerspace. We strive to enable makers of all kinds through instruction, open access, mentoring, community engagement, and research. We are seeking Graduate Students with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to help facilitate and design workshops and curriculum with our community partners, including after-school centers, public libraries and public middle schools.

The Graduate Assistant position is a 25% or 50% appointment with an estimated 10 or 20 hours a week of work. The position is designated 50% community engagement and 50% facility operations. The Graduate Assistant will work alongside the Community Engagement team to (1) Develop new makerspace-oriented curriculum for students in K-8 that is reflective of community needs and interests, and (2) Instruct and facilitate workshops in local after-school programs at libraries, schools, and/or community centers (between 2:30pm and 5:30pm on select weekdays). Graduate Assistants must be comfortable serving as an instructor, and work independently with groups of 4-9 students.  Facility operation responsibilities include scheduled lab assistant duties during our “Open Hours” and researching makerspace development. This research will cover machine operation, lab safety, creating signage, and lab marketing/outreach.

Qualifications:

On-campus MSLIS students in Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Preferred Qualifications:

  • An interest in makerspaces, community informatics, and youth services
  • Experience developing curriculum and programming is preferred but not required
  • Experience leading or assisting with youth programming

Send a cover letter and a resume to Dr. Kyungwon Koh: kkoh@illinois.edu

Fab Lab Instruction & Engagement Specialist

Job Summary

This position supports instructional and outreach activities of the Fab Lab by leading and providing instructional support for community engagement activities hosted or led by the CU Community Fab Lab, and by teaching makerspace university courses and community workshops.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • (50%) Lead and assist with digital fabrication workshops, classes, youth outreach programs, and youth summer camps.
  • (10%) Communicate and collaborate with community clients regarding community engagement projects.
  • (35%) Teach makerspace courses, INFO 416 and 418, and other classes as assigned; leading 1 course and assisting with 1 course per semester.
  • (5%) Other duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Demands

Typical for an office setting

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art Education, Design, Education, or a related field.
  • Three years in education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position.
  • Experience with digital fabrication.
  • Demonstrated experience teaching and/or mentoring youth.
  • (Note: A master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Art, Art Education, Design, Education)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Technical experience using multiple design software and/or equipment found in the Fab Lab. 
  • Any information technology knowledge, design knowledge, or any science, engineering or arts content knowledge.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 – Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 5/8/2024. The minimum salary is $42,000, We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements

We are unable to sponsor an employment VISA or take over sponsorship for an employment VISA for this position now and in the future.  Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States with no VISA sponsorship.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 8th, 2024. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Please provide your cover letter, resume and references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Kyungwon Koh kkoh@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.