Knowledge Lab Undergraduate Assistant - Student Service

Job Title:

Knowledge Lab Undergraduate Assistant
- Student Service City:
West Lafayette

The Knowledge Lab is the Purdue Libraries’ makerspace. The Purdue community can use a variety of materials, tools, equipment, and software to experiment and rapid prototype their ideas. Low-stakes, rapid-prototyping tools and equipment include a vinyl cutter, sewing machines, Riso printer, a podcast booth, heat presses, knitting and crocheting tools, cardboard, fabric, among other resources. This Lab serves as a first stop in a pipeline of opportunities on campus to fully actualize ideas.

The undergraduate assistant (UA) provides support to the Knowledge Lab Manager. The UA will work with the Lab Manager to support students’ use of equipment and materials. Primary responsibilities include maintaining the organization of the Lab, assisting students with equipment and materials, leading workshops, among other daily responsibilities.
This position is $15hr for 10 hours a week with the potential for more hours.

The Knowledge Lab is hiring for two positions to begin at the start of the Fall 2026 semester, please read the descriptions for the specific skills sets we are looking for below.

Required Qualifications: Must be a current undergraduate student

• Position 1: We are specifically looking for a person with sewing experience, who is competent in some or all of the following sewing-related skills: using a sewing machine, garment construction, reading a pattern, altering clothing, mending clothing, and hand-sewing.

• Position 2: We are specifically looking for a person with either knitting and crochet skills or zine and book making skills.
  • Knitting and/or crochet skills include knowing different stitches, working in the round, and reading patterns.
  • Zine and bookmaking skills include book construction, page/design layout, different binding techniques, and experience with Adobe InDesign.

Qualifications for both positions:

• Experience with hands‑on making and creative problem solving.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Enjoy working with people.
• Schedule that allows for evening and Saturday hours.

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