Isotope Research Chemist

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

Isotope Research Chemist

The Laboratory for Isotopes and Metals in the Environment (LIME), part of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park campus), seeks an Isotope Research Chemist. LIME is a shared user facility that serves researchers from a range of disciplines at Penn State and other academic institutions, as well as industry and governmental organizations.

LIME maintains a Thermo Scientific Triton Plus TIMS and a Nu Instruments Sapphire MC‑ICP‑MS, as well as a metal‑free clean laboratory.

This position is a non‑tenure line research faculty position and is offered as a term appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with an excellent possibility of renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Candidates will be considered for a research faculty rank commensurate with their education and experience in accordance with AC21. If hired, qualified candidates could have opportunities for promotion and advancement.

• Operate LIME instrumentation (specifically the MC‑ICP‑MS and TIMS).
• Set and maintain standards for data quality and control for those instruments.
• Evaluate methodological development in LIME, including establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and data quality standards.
• Maintain both instruments in working order, including hands‑on maintenance of mass spectrometers and related peripherals and support equipment (e.g., chillers), and interface with manufacturer technicians to resolve problems and during service visits.
• Train, oversee training, and/or supervise student users and part‑time employees in the use of the clean lab and instrumentation.
• Participate in education of students with respect to sample preparation, analyses, and quality control.
• Communicate with potential clients and users, including the development of agreements with clients outside of Penn State to conduct isotopic analyses.
• Collaborate with external clients, including preparing samples and conducting analyses.
• Manage billing for work completed within LIME.
• Communicate and interact with the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) to maintain the clean laboratory and its systems.

The successful candidate must hold an M.S. or terminal degree in geochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline by appointment start date, and at least one year of relevant experience in routine operation and general maintenance of mass spectrometers. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. The preferred candidate will have experience working with scientific instrumentation (preferably similar to current LIME instruments) and must possess good organizational skills and the ability to support faculty and students.

The preferred candidate will also possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and good working knowledge of the laboratory setting, as well as general computer skills. The candidate must be able and willing to multi‑task, follow standard operating procedures, and follow quality…