Spectroscopy and Imaging Specialist

Brief Position Overview

The Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL) at Montana State University plans to fill a full-time technical position with experience in electron and ion microscopy and spectroscopy, diagnostic and repair skills of electronic equipment. The successful candidate will be involved with training users on the instrumentation, and working with academic and industrial users in experimental design and data acquisition and interpretation.

Job responsibilities include operation and maintenance of various microscopes and spectrometers in ICAL, diagnosing and repairing electronic equipment, and assisting with managerial duties in ICAL  Physics. Includes training new users, and working with academic and industrial collaborating researchers in support of diverse research initiatives across the STEM disciplines.

• Monitor the status of instruments in ICAL with responsibility for maintenance and repair as needed.
• Operate an integrated Auger nanoprobe and X‑ray photoelectron spectrometer for internal and external users and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate a field‑emission scanning electron microscope (FEM), including cryo‑FEM, for internal and external users, and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an atomic force microscope (AFM) and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an X‑ray powder diffraction (XRD) instrument and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an IONTOF mass spectrometry system and prepare and send analysis reports to internal and external users.
• Teach short courses to the users of ICAL on how to use these instruments including teaching some fundamentals.
• Engage in ICAL outreach activities on behalf of the MONT project, including scheduling outreach activities and coordinating activities with ICAL staff and visiting participants.
• Monitor instrument use scheduling to prioritize use and avoid scheduling conflicts among ICAL’s many and diverse users.
• Assist with ICAL‐related management issues such as purchasing, ordering supplies, updating and maintaining computer systems, managing user accounts and scheduling, and general laboratory operation and maintenance (e.g., disposal of biological and hazardous materials).
• Assist with communications with lab users (students, faculty, external corporate users) and teaching short courses for new users.
• Assist with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual ICAL user statistics for MONT and ICAL reports.
• Support safety protocols in ICAL, including biosafety, chemical hazard, and ionizing radiation standards.
• Learn to operate some of the other ICAL instruments such as the epifluorescence optical microscope, critical point drying, contact angle measurement, and zeta potential instruments to assist ICAL users if/when required.
• Share the responsibility with other ICAL personnel of interacting with users, providing the first contact with potential users, and directing them to staff and resources that can support their analytical needs.
• Ensure the lab is kept well organized and clean.
• Other duties as assigned.

• A Master of Science or higher degree in science or engineering disciplines or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated experience in electron and/or ion microscopy and spectroscopy and related fields.
• Skills in tracking and diagnosing instrument problems and undertaking or arranging for their repair.

• Demonstrated experience in diagnostic and repair skills regarding electronic and/or mechanical malfunctions; operating scientific equipment with emphasis on high‑resolution imaging and spectroscopy; skills for learning and updating existing scientific and engineering skills; and interpersonal skills for dealing with students and other users in multidisciplinary science and engineering fields regarding their needs related to scientific and financial issues.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills such as writing scientific reports and…