Research Support Specialist I (CHESS Operator)

About the role

The Research Support Specialist I contributes to the research mission of the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) by assisting with the development and maintenance of experimental facilities and equipment, and determining how to best achieve the necessary research objectives.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, assemble, and commission specialized equipment
• Track and analyze research data and instrument performance
• Write and/or modify computer programs and scripts
• Provide technical support to researchers in the facility
• Support visiting researchers 30% of the time
• Work on long-term projects and experimental upgrades 70% of the time
• Collaborate with other technical staff on various projects
• Work as part of a team of research support specialists
• Support the facility's 24/7 operation schedule, including working some evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical field (physical sciences or engineering preferred)
• Two to four years of practical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Practical experience involving a broad range of skills to support scientific research in a laboratory setting, such as troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining equipment; hands-on design or assembly work; and data collection/analysis
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with people from varied backgrounds
• Self-motivation, reliability, and use of good judgment
• Adaptability to the changing needs of a research environment
• Effective and cooperative teamwork within a team environment
• A commitment to upholding and advancing laboratory safety practices and culture
• Experience prioritizing multiple tasks/responsibilities and seeing them through to completion; demonstrated time management skills
• Cultivating and developing inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members

Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks/responsibilities and see them through to completion
• Time management skills
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships
• Experience with two or more of the following topics: Mechanical Engineering, assessing experimental procedures for chemical and/or biological hazards, Linux, scripting languages like bash and python, SPEC and EPICs control system software, and version control systems like git and subversion
• Experience or familiarity with developing and maintaining IOC servers to support hardware and software components
• Writing technical documentation and/or standard operating procedures

Skills

• Technical proficiency in mechanical engineering
• Experience with assessing experimental procedures for chemical and/or biological hazards
• Linux, scripting languages like bash and python
• Experience with SPEC and EPICs control system software
• Version control systems like git and subversion
• Experience with developing and maintaining IOC servers
• Writing technical documentation and/or standard operating procedures

Benefits

The position offers comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. Cornell also provides tuition-free extramural study and employee degree programs, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

Pay

$65,447.00 - $75,632.00

Schedule

Fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of three years and is renewable based on available funding and satisfactory performance.