Materials Characterization Specialist

State of Virginia • Blacksburg, VA

365d • $65,000

About The Position

The Virginia Tech Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of Materials Characterization Specialist. The position is housed in Materials Characterization Laboratory (MCL), which is a university-wide user facility dedicated to materials characterization, and reports to the MCL's Core Facility Research Manager. The equipment housed in the MCL is available for education and scientific experiments in undergraduate, graduate, and research programs. The specialist participates in the day-to-day operations of the MCL facility in support of research in all materials-related fields. As a core part of these responsibilities, the position is responsible for operations, maintenance and training related to instruments and equipment housed in the MCL. In addition, the position diagnoses and resolves equipment and instrument problems and calibrates equipment while also performing demonstrations and training for students and faculty on the proper operation of equipment in the MCL. Implementing and monitoring safety procedures and SOPs, quality control procedures and consistency across experiments is also a large part of the position's responsibilities. The position aids students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and external collaborators in the execution of specific jobs for materials research projects and may design and fabricate equipment needed for materials characterization. The successful candidate will have a strong attention to detail as well as time management and organization skills. Depending on the education and experience of the successful candidate, an offer of appointment may be made at either the rank of Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, or Research Scientist. Individuals with a PhD hired at the rank of Research Scientist are encouraged to conceptualize and advance a research agenda aligned with MCL and ICTAS strategic priorities. Research Scientists may operate as a PI/Co-PI on external grant applications and produce scholarly works suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals or presentation at national/international meetings.

Requirements

• An advanced degree with significant related professional experience (required for the rank of Research Associate).
• A PhD in a related discipline (required for the rank of Senior Research Associate or Research Scientist).
• Demonstrated laboratory experience in a core facility setup.
• Broad experience in materials characterization tools and techniques including the ability to troubleshoot and maintain complex instruments.
• Experience handling chemicals such as solvents, liquid nitrogen, acids and bases.
• Ability to quickly master new laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to work with diverse teams of researchers.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Materials sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or in a related discipline.
• Experience with Imaging techniques (CT scanner, Optical Microscopy, AFM) and Chromatographic techniques (APC, HPLC etc.).
• Experience with polymer characterization instruments such as DSC, TGA, DMA, TMA, Instron, XRD.
• Experience in experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the day-to-day operations of the MCL facility in support of research in all materials-related fields.
• Responsible for operations, maintenance and training related to instruments and equipment housed in the MCL.
• Diagnose and resolve equipment and instrument problems.
• Calibrate equipment and perform demonstrations and training for students and faculty.
• Implement and monitor safety procedures and SOPs, quality control procedures and consistency across experiments.
• Aid students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and external collaborators in the execution of specific jobs for materials research projects.
• Design and fabricate equipment needed for materials characterization.

Benefits

• Commensurate with experience, starting at $65,000.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees