Research Technologist

About This Role

The Research Technologist assists faculty, staff, and students in the Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering. They serve as the department safety officer and laboratory technician, provide inventory support, and performs various departmental maintenance.

About Us

The Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University has a rich tradition of teaching excellence coupled with interdisciplinary and collaborative research. The department currently has 11 faculty members, enrolls approximately 150 undergraduate students and 15 graduate students. Active research and teaching programs exist in the areas of novel materials, catalysis, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy generation and storage, and intelligent process engineering. Additional information is available at www.che.ksu.edu.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires an associate degree and two years of relevant experience. Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the applied engineering knowledge, technical design expertise and analytical skills necessary to construct, modify and maintain experimental equipment and support complex research processes within a laboratory environment. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential experience inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or technical certificate in machine tool technology, industrial maintenance, electronics/instrumentation, or a related field; bachelor's degree in engineering technology or a physical science preferred.
• Three or more years of experience maintaining, repairing, and fabricating equipment in a research laboratory, national laboratory, or industrial R&D setting.
• Demonstrated machining and fabrication skill, including manual mill, lathe, and welding/brazing; ability to read schematics and blueprints. CNC and CAD experience a plus.
• Experience with vacuum systems, including pump overhaul and leak detection, and compressed gas distribution and laboratory water systems (RO/DI).
• Troubleshooting and repair experience across electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems; instrumentation or controls programming a plus.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety standards and hazardous waste handling requirements.
• Strong recordkeeping and organizational skills, with experience tracking equipment inventory, purchases, and contractor work.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: August 1, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$ 18.86 - $ 32.05 hourly