Job Summary
The School of Dentistry has an exciting opening for a Lab Technician with expertise in ceramics and digital dentistry. The Digital Dentistry Dental Laboratory Technician/Support will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including benchtop scanning, CAD design, CAM milling of restorations, ceramic staining and glazing, printing of digital models, and of various dental devices.
To successfully perform these duties, the position requires extensive knowledge of computer systems, hardware, and software applications. Responsibilities include inspecting and manipulating digital files in a dental school setting, operating machinery such as milling units, ceramic ovens, and 3D printers, as well as, performing routine machine maintenance and calibration according to a detailed checklist.
The Technician must also identify material defects and equipment malfunctions, report problems to management, and troubleshoot issues when possible. Additionally, the role involves managing lab orders, bookkeeping, supply ordering, inventory management, and contributing to sustainable practices.
This position reports to the Director of Predoctoral Digital Dental Technologies and the Chief Information Officer.
Why Work at Michigan?
The School of Dentistry is consistently ranked as the #1 dental school in the United States and the world. We embrace diversity in many forms and champion diversity of thought and culture. Our Mission, core values, and additional information about our College can be found on our college website. The University of Michigan also offers comprehensive benefits to help you stay well and to support you as you plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental leave.
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions.
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Work-Life Programs to strengthen a workplace culture that supports personal and family life, including child care, elder care, lactation resources, and mental and emotional health services
Responsibilities*
Laboratory Operations
- Perform a wide variety of dental laboratory tasks requiring a high degree of proficiency
- Assist with CAD/CAM design, milling, and post-milling processing of restorations, including ceramic staining and glazing
- Manipulate digital files to design dental devices such as bite splints, surgical guides, and 3D restorative mock-ups
- Assist with 3D printing of digital models and various dental devices
- Troubleshoot restoration design and manufacturing problems and recommend solutions to dental faculty working with pre-doctoral and graduate students
- Assist in CAD/CAM training of dental faculty, pre-doctoral students, and staff
- Organize and maintain the digital dental laboratory
- Manage lab orders and bookkeeping
- Run productivity report
Equipment and Supplies
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain digital equipment
- Monitor and ensure decisions about inventory, equipment purchase, and maintenance
- Maintain accurate productivity and inventory records
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications*
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Certified Dental Technician (CDT)
- Minimum of 5 years experience as a dental technician in all areas of crown and bridge/ceramic restorations
- Minimum of two (2) years of digital dental manufacturing experience, including 3D printing of dental devices and dental CAD/CAM in a private, public, government or military environment
- Able to operate and maintain digital equipment including mills, 3D printers, and benchtop scanners as well as ceramic ovens.
- Assists in training students, residents, staff, co-workers, and faculty in multiple CAD/CAM hardware and software systems.
- Expertise in multiple dental ceramic materials to manufacture high-quality restorations
- Ability to follow instructions and demonstrate time management, organization, fiscal stewardship, and prioritization skills
Desired Qualifications*
- Knowledge and experience with the CEREC system
Work Schedule
The School of Dentistry operates from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Our clinics sometimes operate until 7:30 PM one to two days a week. Your primary working location will be within a set area within the School of Dentistry. This is an onsite 40-hour-a-week position. You are eligible for flexible scheduling within these periods.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
- Knowledge and experience with the CEREC system