Instrumentation Technologist I

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Site Operations Specialist with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH). NADP is a nationwide network that monitors the chemistry of precipitation and atmospheric deposition. It collects and analyzes weekly precipitation samples from hundreds of sites to track substances including sulfur, nitrogen, mercury, ammonia, and PFAS. Its data supports research and decisions concerning acid rain, nutrient cycling, ecosystem health, and air and water quality. The program works in partnership with federal and state agencies, universities, tribes, and other organizations, and supports sampling equipment across its networks.

The role primarily provides field-site support for all NADP networks. This includes communicating with site operators using existing tools, troubleshooting equipment, creating and providing procedural documents, and coordinating equipment supplies. The position also ensures quality control of selected network data releases as program knowledge expands. The successful candidate will work with scientific equipment and data, contribute to the effective operation of the work unit, and manage work independently and collaboratively.

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week, under general supervision, reporting to the Program Operations Supervisor. It is an in-person role at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene building, 465 Henry Mall, on the UW campus. The employee is expected to apply quality-management tools and principles, provide exceptional customer service, maintain effective professional relationships, contribute to continuous improvement, and participate in professional development activities.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a science-related field is preferred.
• One to two years of experience working with mechanical equipment and/or serving as a project lead in a scientific setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electronic equipment.
• Ability to work effectively on a team and independently; manage time, pay attention to detail, switch tasks efficiently, and prioritize multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships and provide constructive feedback in a supportive manner.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using LoggerNet and other Campbell Scientific tools.
• Experience using LIMS.
• Experience using Google Workspace.
• Experience working with large data sets, preferably environmental data.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise to staff, researchers, clients, and students in the installation and use of equipment and instruments, exercising discretion and independent judgment to meet unit goals.
• Ensure quality control of information in data releases for a defined research area or study using established processes.
• Investigate new research processes and technology solutions in collaboration with research or clinical staff, students, and clients.
• Answer questions and provide technical information regarding instrumentation to staff, researchers, clients, and students.
• Design, plan, and perform preventative and reactive maintenance on equipment to ensure optimal and safe operation.
• Develop, integrate, test, and modify sophisticated scientific equipment to support research or clinical initiatives and unit directives.
• Provide field-site support for NADP networks, including communicating with site operators, troubleshooting equipment, creating and providing procedural documents, and coordinating equipment supplies.
• Use quality-management tools and principles, provide customer service, maintain professional relationships, contribute to continuous improvement, and participate in professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level