Instrument Technician
Position Summary
The Instrument Technician provides expertise and operational support for the Department’s research and instructional laboratories. Responsibilities include maintenance and troubleshooting of scientific instrumentation, coordination of service and preventative maintenance, support of laboratory infrastructure projects, repair of small laboratory equipment, fabrication of specialized components, management of gases and cryogens, and collaboration with faculty and staff to advance teaching and research activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Instrument Support, Development, Maintenance, and Repair: Develop and/or modify scientific instruments. Maintain and repair various laboratory equipment and instrumentation including (but not limited to) gas and liquid chromatographs, melting point apparatus, spectrophotometers, hot plate stirrers, vacuum pumps, centrifuges, lab ovens, shakers, incubators, and Vernier instructional instrumentation. Instrument support will require familiarity with software installation, instrument configuration, etc. and working with various information technology (IT) units on campus. Works with faculty, staff (including the instrument scientist and the director of the NMR lab), instrument manufacturers, and managed maintenance provider(s) to troubleshoot instruments (both hardware and software), and coordinate service calls and preventative maintenance visits. Existing lab equipment must be repaired as needed, and new lab equipment identified/evaluated for purchase.
Fabrication: Fabricate specialized items in the machine shop to support research instructional, and research labs, as well as associated equipment. Operate and maintain equipment. Train users as appropriate.
Manage Cryogens, Gases, and Associated Equipment: Order cryogens, gases and regulators, coordinate/replace gas cylinders / Dewars in instructional and research laboratories, install fittings, tubing, regulators and connections as needed.
Project Coordination: Coordinate various capital projects with the building superintendent and the Facilities Management Office (FMO) on site requirements for instructional and research laboratories, supplement facilities management with self-installations when needed.
Equipment & Part Ordering and Installation: Order miscellaneous equipment, non-stocked repair parts, and specialized items for instructional and research laboratories. Order and install security devices on department equipment.
Supervisory: Supervise part-time student help as needed.
Other: Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Minimum Work Experience: Two years or more working in a science or technical position, required
Work Skills: Able to communicate clearly, Excellent oral and written skills, Able to work with a minimum of supervision, Able to solve problems effectively, Able to prepare information for reports (Word, Excel, Power Point), Creativity and inventiveness
Specific Job Knowledge: Knowledge of maintenance, diagnostics and repair of mechanical and electronic lab equipment and instrumentation, including software installation, troubleshooting, and configuration, Knowledge of basic chemical and machine shop safety, specifically compressed gases and cryogens, Knowledge of Machine Shop best practices (organization, cleanliness), Familiarity with chemical laboratory equipment, glassware, etc., Knowledge of basic computer software packages: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and experience with software installation and troubleshooting
Preferred Qualifications
Formal Education: Advanced degree or training
Work Experience: Five years work experience as Instrument Technician, Industrial Designer, Model Maker, Design Engineer, or Exhibit Fabricator preferred
Work Skills: Working knowledge of computer-aided design (e.g., SolidWorks, MasterCam) and/or scientific instrument control software
Specific Job Knowledge: Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design, Familiarity with auditing procedures, bookkeeping, and basic accounting
Equipment Knowledge: Knowledge of and ability to use various computer systems, install software, etc.