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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 temporary, 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

Reporting to this position:

• No direct reports

Conditions of Employment: 

• Candidate must successfully complete a full background check

• Required to work evenings and weekends

Applicant Instructions:

Submit  PDF document to include:

• Resume

• Cover Letter (1 page single spaced, 12pt) – qualifications, experience, what interests you about this position?

• Portfolio of Related Work – website (preferred) or PDF at reasonable resolution. Images should include descriptions about the project.

Please format the PDF document for screen resolution and viewing.  No physical media are requested nor will be returned.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 45 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. but ear protection may be required at times.

• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, COVID – 19 Cleaning and Personal Protection Equipment. 

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.