Spectroscopy and Imaging Specialist

Spectroscopy and Imaging Specialist

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number - STAFF - VA - 26395

Classification Title
- Research Scientist and/or Research Engineers

Working Title
- 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 of users on the instrumentation, and working with academic and industrial users in experimental design and data acquisition and interpretation.

Department
- Research Core Facilities

Division
- Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type
- Professional

Contract Term
- Fiscal Year

Semester

FLSA
- Exempt

Union Affiliation
- Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE - 0.75 - 1.0

Benefits Eligible
- Eligible

Salary
- Salary starting at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type - LOA

Recruitment Type
- Open

General Statement
- 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.

Duties and Responsibilities
- 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. Monitoring instrument use scheduling to prioritize use and to avoid scheduling conflicts among ICAL's many and diverse users. Assist, when necessary, with ICAL-related management issues such as purchasing, ordering supplies, updating and maintaining computer systems, managing user accounts and user scheduling, and general laboratory operation and maintenance (e.g., disposal of biological and hazardous materials).

Assist with communications with lab users (i.e., students, faculty, external corporate users) and teaching short courses for new users. Assist, when necessary, 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 needed.

Share the responsibility with other ICAL personnel of interacting with users, providing the first contact with potential users, and identifying and directing them to staff and related resources that can support their analytical needs. Ensure the lab is kept well organized and clean. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills - 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.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- 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 dealing with internal and external users and with private sector…