Researcher/Scientist III, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (UPDATED)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the ThermoFisher Helios G3 focused-ion-beam scanning-electron microscope (FIB-SEM) laboratory.
• Troubleshoot and perform or coordinate instrument maintenance, service, and repair.
• Manage instrument scheduling, maintain lab records (including data archiving), submit monthly billing, and order routine operational supplies.
• Establish and monitor compliance with safe operating procedures within the lab as per university regulations.
• Organize individual or group training sessions and certify new users for safe and proper instrument use, which may also include organizing and running user workshops.
• Help oversee user operation of facility sample-preparation equipment.
• Collaborate with users (faculty, students, and postdocs) on new experiments, data interpretation, publications, and grant proposals (where appropriate).
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the Renishaw InVia Raman spectrometer, including coordinating service and repairs, managing scheduling, maintaining lab records and data archives, submitting monthly billing, and ordering routine supplies.
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of the facility’s Hitachi SEMs, including instrument upkeep, scheduling, and training new users in collaboration with the co-manager.
• Perform general lab and office tasks, including discussing lab capabilities and project needs with internal and external users.
• Set up user accounts in iLab and provide lab tours as needed.
• Conduct lab-safety inspections and assist with proposal or manuscript writing when required.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, including ordering and inventory management.
• Participate in facility meetings or webinars as needed and occasionally travel to conferences to maintain professional skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience is required.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, geoscience, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of electron and ion optics.
• Knowledge of electron scattering, ionization processes, and the physics of X-ray generation.
• Knowledge of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TEM sample-preparation techniques.
• Knowledge of the Windows operating system.
• Skill in performing TEM sample preparation, including the steady-hand dexterity required when working with FIB grids.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Skill in organization and time management.
• Ability to effectively share information and interface professionally with students, postdocs, faculty, and other customers via email, phone, or in person.
• Ability to follow clean-laboratory practices and safely handle basic chemicals, including alcohols and solvents.
• Knowledge of Raman spectroscopy.

Physical Requirements And Environmental Demands

• Lifting: Employees are occasionally required to lift/move/transport up to 50 pounds.
• Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals in a work setting.

Benefits

The University of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!