Assistant Research Scientist, IIHR

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Research Scientist will contribute to the research mission of IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering and the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) by supporting the Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information, and Geospatial Health Tracking (Iowa INSIGHT). This statewide initiative aims to develop scientific evidence about how environmental exposures affect human health, including factors associated with Iowa’s high cancer rates and other adverse health outcomes related to maternal and newborn health, reproductive health, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The role will lead research initiatives focused on environmental monitoring and biomonitoring as part of a team that includes research staff and graduate and undergraduate student researchers. This is a specified-term position. The University will hire at either the Assistant Research Scientist or Associate Research Scientist level. The position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. The role involves developing research designs and methods; operating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation; analyzing environmental and biological samples and data; preparing manuscripts and presenting research; contributing to grant proposals and reports; overseeing safety and compliance; providing service and outreach; and mentoring graduate students. The position is based in Iowa City, Iowa, and is a regular salaried position.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, or a related field.
At least one year of experience at the Postdoctoral Scholar level or above.
Prior experience and significant expertise developing methods to analyze complex environmental samples, including water, air, and heterogeneous media, and/or biospecimens such as whole blood, serum, urine, or breast milk.
Prior experience and significant expertise analyzing environmental and/or biospecimen samples using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Demonstrated expertise in routine operation and maintenance of instrumentation used to analyze environmental and biological samples.
Prior experience developing and maintaining appropriate QA/QC standards and protocols for laboratory analysis of environmental and biological standards.
Prior experience managing complex data flows, including translating data into reports for stakeholder groups.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including a strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals, such as lead- and/or corresponding-author publications.
Valid driver’s license and continued compliance with the University of Iowa Operations Manual, Part V, Chapter 19, University Driving Policy.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing and implementing field-sampling campaigns to collect complex environmental samples across matrices such as soil, water, and sediment.
Experience drafting and/or contributing to original environmental health grant proposals.

Responsibilities

Initiate research design and methodology, originate and coordinate research, develop hypotheses, and select methods.
Work independently on moderately complex research tasks with oversight from faculty or a Principal Investigator.
Operate and maintain instrumentation used to analyze environmental and biological samples, and document equipment and procedures.
Analyze data for relevance and integrity, apply advanced data-analysis techniques, develop new applications of existing techniques, and compare results with previously published work.
Develop analytical methods for complex environmental samples and/or biospecimen samples.
Prepare and submit manuscripts and peer-reviewed publications, including as lead and/or corresponding author, and present results at departmental seminars and professional meetings.
Contribute to research grant proposals, funding-agency reports, and other proposals; may serve as co-PI or seek independent funding as PI.
Select and purchase equipment as needed.
Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary.
Provide service to the scientific community, the University, and the general public; consult and collaborate with researchers and may organize outreach or professional meeting sessions.
Mentor graduate students and may provide functional or administrative supervision to staff, including assigning work and providing feedback, coaching, and counseling.