Research Lab Technician

Major/Essential Functions

• Operate, maintain, and train users on laboratory equipment within the soils laboratories at the Department of Plant and Soil Science.
• Plan, organize, and implement operating procedures for conducting multi-unit collaborative research with the PSS soils groups.
• Order supplies, scheduling equipment maintenance, and implementing operational procedures for conducting multi-unit collaborative research within the soils groups.
• Develop safety protocols and supervise undergraduate students and researchers across different soils groups to implement experiments.
• Engage and organize research, sample, and data collection as required, working alongside students, post docs and visiting scholars.

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry/engineering, toxicology, soil science, natural resources or environmental sciences, geoscience and/or equivalent work experience by start date. 
• Prior laboratory experience through work or education.
• Master’s degree with experience in soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, and/or pedology.
• Candidates with previous laboratory experience in dealing with analytical laboratory maintenance and operation, including ICP-OES/MS, XRF, GC, IC, CNS analysis, and determination of hydro-physical properties.
• Experience conducting fieldwork including experience with gas flux measurements, soil sampling, soil descriptions, infiltrometry, and/or sensor deployment/maintenance.
• Evidence of ability to independently maintain equipment in different laboratories and ability to manage, plan, execute, operate and supervise minor fixes to equipment to ensure successful implementation of research objectives.
• Evidence of proven data analysis skills (e.g., trouble shooting), data maintenance, and data management.
• Self-motivated, with excellent written and oral communication skills, management and organization skills, and the ability to work both individually and with a multi-faceted team of fellow researchers, while maintaining positive and effective work relationships.