Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working under occasional supervision, the Instrumentation Specialist will oversee the operation, development, and strategic advancement of the Department of Chemistry Instrumentation Facility, supporting both academic research and high-enrollment undergraduate teaching laboratories across general, organic, analytical, physical, and chemical biology. This position will perform instrument updates, trouble-shooting, repair and maintenance for complex equipment such as LC/MS, GC/MS, high resolution MS, atomic absorption spectrometers (AAS), Raman, UV/Vis, FTIR, fluorescence spectrophotometers, GC, and HPLC; and utilize these instruments in both research and instructional environments. In addition, the instrumentation specialist will design, implement, and lead structured instrumentation training programs, including intensive summer training for PhD students and graduate teaching assistants, to prepare them for instructional responsibilities, independent research, and future careers in academia, national laboratories, and industry. This position includes oversight of instrumentation infrastructure expansion, installation, upgrades, and modernization aligned with high-enrollment undergraduate laboratory programs and evolving research needs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Teaching labs and training leadership: prepare and set up analytical instruments used in undergraduate laboratories (Millis Building rooms 110, 210, 311, and G16) and courses (CHEM 113, CHEM 114, CHEM 233, CHEM 234, CHEM 290, CHEM 304, CHEM 305, CHEM 306, and CHEM 332). Assist with the acquisition and interpretation of data from the analytical instruments (including Raman, UV/Vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectrophotometers, GC, GC/MS, HPLC, LC/MS, and AAS) located in the undergraduate labs. Assist stockroom technicians with preparation of standards and reagents for instruments calibration. Assist stockroom technicians with distribution and collection of laboratory supplies and equipment necessary for laboratory courses and experiments according to experimental specifications. Train graduate students, graduate teaching assistants, instructors, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate students in the operation of all instruments in the facilities. Develop and write instrument standard operational procedures in collaboration with instructors and graduate teaching assistants. Maintain contact with manufacturers to ensure prompt and reasonably inexpensive repairs, when needed. Lead and coordinate comprehensive instrumentation training programs designed for graduate teaching assistants supporting large-enrollment laboratory courses, including Chem 113 (up to 8 sections, 50 students each), Chem 114 CURE-based course expansion, and Chem 233/234 (up to 15 sections, 50 students each). Develop and deliver structured summer instrumentation training programs for PhD students and graduate teaching assistants to ensure readiness for teaching, research, and professional development. Provide hands-on training and oversight for a broad range of instructional instrumentation including UV-Vis spectroscopy, GC, FTIR, melting point apparatus, polarimetry, and advanced instrumentation used in upper-level undergraduate courses (Chem 304, Chem 305/332), including AAS (Flame and Graphite Furnace), LC/MS, HPLC, GC/MS, electrochemistry workstations, and autotitrators. (60%)
Instrumentation facility leadership and modernization: responsible for the daily operation of the Chemistry Instrumentation Center which includes the atomic absorption spectrometers, Raman, UV/Vis, FTIR, LC/MS, GC/MS, high resolution MS, fluorescence spectrophotometers, GC, GCMS and new HPLC. Oversee operations, maintenance and training of personnel for these instruments. Develop and implement fee collection mechanisms. Manage billing and accounting for users. Develop and write protocols/instrument operating procedures for use by experienced users in a research setting. Develop and write maintenance standard operation procedures for use by the department¿s technical staff. Schedule experiments for undergraduate labs in concert with the laboratory instructors. Oversee installation, commissioning, upgrades, and lifecycle management of instrumentation to support expanding teaching and research infrastructure. Collaborate with faculty and administration on instrumentation modernization initiatives aligned with departmental growth and external funding priorities. (20%)
Advanced facilities and research support: assist in the operations of the Mass Spectrometer Center which includes maintenance and repair for the MALDI-TOF, the orbitrap mass spectrometer the LCMS, high resolution MS, Electrospray Ion Trap MS: THERMO LCQ Advantage and the Electrospray Ion Trap MS: THERMO LCQ DECA. Help oversee the operations, maintenance and training of personnel on these instruments. Develop and write protocols/instrument operating procedures for use by experienced users in a research setting. Train graduate students, graduate teaching assistants, instructors, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate students in the operation of the instruments in the Mass Spectrometer facility. Establish scheduling priorities and sign-up mechanisms. Develop and implement fee mechanism. Manage billing and accounting for users. Assist in the processing of samples and interpret LC/MS and HRMS results for non-standard and standard samples. Diagnose, maintain and repair general and highly specialized instruments. (15%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Assist in maintaining a chemical inventory for laboratory spaces. Keep up to date on required Environmental Health and Safety training and maintain a suitable chemical hygiene plan for relevant laboratory spaces. Assist faculty, staff and students as needed with job duties as assigned. (5%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the laboratory manager and departmental technical staff. Extensive contact with faculty in both teaching and research related matters.
University: Interact with faculty, research associates and graduate students from other departments concerning training, data acquisition and data interpretation on the instruments. Contact with chemical stores and procurement personnel on an as needed basis.
External: Routine contact with vendors and engineers in regard to procurement and repair of equipment. Contact with industrial users concerning training, data acquisition and data interpretation on the instruments. Regular contact with manufacturers to ensure prompt and reasonably inexpensive repairs.
Students: Daily contact with undergraduate students in the teaching labs. Daily contact with graduate student teaching assistants in the teaching labs. Daily contact with graduate students in research labs concerning the acquisition and interpretation of data.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 3 or more years of experience with chemistry analytical instrumentation.
Education: Master's degree in chemistry required. PhD in Chemistry or related field preferred for advanced training leadership and facility oversight responsibilities.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Ability to operate and service a wide variety of analytical instrumentation, including Raman, UV/Vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectrophotometers, GC, GC/MS, HPLC, LC/MS, and AAS, MALDI-TOF.
Ability to interpret the results of the data from the above instruments.
Must have good writing skills.
Must be familiar with high vacuum technology, high voltage, and use of computers, digital electronics, and cryogenics.
Must have knowledge of the potential safety hazards associated with electronic equipment and ability to take necessary precautions.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Chemistry lab environment. Potential exposure to chemical, electrical, and biological hazards. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards.
