The University of Michigan Library's Shapiro Design Lab (SDL) seeks Masters'-level students to become Program Assistants and help direct this ever-evolving experimental space founded on peer learning, engaged learning, and interdisciplinarity. The Lab encompasses a variety of learning opportunities and projects within three different spaces, all located on the first floor of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library:
PIE Space (Prototype-Inspire-Explore):
An open area that features a Prototyping Cart, collaboration hub with 55” monitor, Design Library, whiteboards, large screens, and a repurposed vending machine, the Design-o-Matic 4000.
Media Production Rooms:
Two rooms offering a variety of tools and software that can be used for audio production, motion graphics, video post-production, CAD, graphic design, and more.
Workshop:
An area with a number of "making" tools (letterpress, sewing machine, vinyl cutter, soldering stations, 3D printers), as well as collaboration hubs, high performance workstations, and whiteboards.
In addition, we have two communities of students who work in the Lab: Residents, graduate students who work on interdisciplinary and creative projects over the course of the year within the Lab; and Interns, undergraduate students who assist in the day-to-day operations of the Lab and contribute to the communities of the Lab through workshops and consultations.
Roles and Responsibilities:
In conjunction with the Shapiro Design Lab Director and Technology and Media Production Specialist the Program Assistant will work on the following:
- Coordination and management of the Design Lab's Interns and Residents, including scheduling meetings and facilitating consultations.
- Communications coordination for the Lab, including newsletter content development, designing signage for the different Lab spaces, coordinating blog posts by Design Lab staff, and working with the Library Communications’ office to best document and share the stories of the Design Lab.
- Coordination and management of new and ongoing projects within the Design Lab, including our work on community and citizen science and tactile maps
- Assisting in the day-to-day operation of the Design Lab’s spaces (PIE Space, Media Production Rooms, and Workshop)
Program Assistants will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week at a rate of $20/hour. While much of the work should occur in the Shapiro Design Lab, we understand that some work will necessarily need to happen in other locations.
Required Qualifications:
- Current Masters student at the University of Michigan
- Dependability and accountability
- Ability to work both collaboratively and cooperatively
- Capability for initiating projects and leadership
- Experience supervising students (creating schedules, processing payroll, facilitating meetings, mentoring)
- Ability to respond to changing needs within the Lab, given its exploratory and experimental character
- Interest in collaborating with individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints
Desired Qualifications:
- Interest and experience in interdisciplinary scholarship and/or creative research.
- Facilitation of partnerships across campus and with the broader community outside the University
- Interest in various hands-on modes of learning
- Planning and development of dynamic learning programs and communities
To apply, please fill out the following application and send your CV/Resume to shapirodesignlab@umich.edu. Applications will be accepted until September 20.
If you have any questions, please email shapirodesignlab@umich.edu.