ICP-MS Laboratory Research Scientist

Thank you for your interest in Stanford University. While we have instituted a hiring pause for non‑critical staff positions, we are actively recruiting for the positions currently listed on our careers page.

Job Summary

• DATE POSTED 2 days ago
• Schedule Full‑time
• Job Code 4981
• Employee Status Regular
• Requisition
• Work Arrangement On Site

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Office and is exempt from the hiring pause.

This role is designated as onsite and requires incumbents to report to work at the Stanford Main Campus. Telecommuting is not available for this role. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.

About Us The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three‑part structure to drive global impact:
Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long‑term prosperity of the planet and people;
Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges;
The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school,  .

The Stanford Isotopic and Geochemical Measurement and Analysis (SIGMA) shared lab facility in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability is seeking a Research and Development Scientist and Engineer. This position will support the existing lab staff and work directly with Stanford researchers in the lab. The lab specializes in high precision isotopic composition and concentration determinations in waters, earth materials, environmental monitoring samples, biological samples, and engineered materials.

Typical lab activities include analysis by ICP‑MS using laser ablation and solutions, acid digestion of materials, and ion‑exchange based wet chemistry for elemental separation prior to ICP‑MS analysis. Research facilitated by the lab includes geochronology, earth history and climate/environmental change.

The facility is composed of 1000 square feet of metal‑free clean lab space and houses 3 mass spectrometers (Thermo Neptune Plus MC‑ICP‑MS, Agilent 8900 ICP‑MS, Nu Plasma HR MC‑ICP‑MS) as well as an Applied Spectra RESOlution Laser sample introduction system. The facility is part of a network of shared facilities across the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and Stanford University.

Your responsibilities include:

• Develop technical and methodological solutions to complex engineering/scientific problems requiring independent analytical thinking and advanced knowledge.
• Provide technical direction and training to laboratory users in laboratory techniques and analytical approaches, including data analysis and QA/QC. Laboratory users range from undergraduate students to faculty and senior research staff.
• Contribute technical expertise and perform basic research and development to support research programs in the laboratory, including sample selection strategies, calibration, sample preparation for ICP‑MS analysis, data processing.
• Collaborate with laboratory staff on technique development and to ensure optimal operations using both laser ablation and solution modes.
• Design and develop new analytical methods to co‑evolve capabilities with user needs.
• Develop, uphold, and document rigorous data quality requirements for lab users.
• Coordinate and organize daily operations, purchase consumables, lab and instrument cleaning and maintenance.
• Maintain compliance with university, state and federal health and safety requirements,…