Biomaterials Characterization Specialist

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Work type:Research Faculty
Senior management: Vice President for Research
Department: ICTAS
Location:Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories:Research / Scientific

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science is seeking qualified applicants to fill the position of Biomaterials Characterization Specialist. The position is housed in Biomaterials Characterization Laboratory (BioMCL), which is a university-wide user facility dedicated to biomaterials 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 BioMCL facility in support of research in all biomaterials-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 BioMCL. 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 BioMCL. 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.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree with significant related professional experience.
• Demonstrated laboratory experience in BSL2 certified laboratory.
• Broad experience in biomaterials characterization tools and techniques including the ability to troubleshoot and maintain complex instruments.
• Experience in optical microscopy and TEM sample preparation techniques (critical point drying, cryosectioning, etc.) for biological materials.
• Experience handling chemicals such as solvents, liquid nitrogen, Osmium tetroxide, 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Biosciences, Biochemistry or in a discipline related to Biomedical engineering.
• Experience with Imaging techniques (Optical Microscopy, TEM, SEM)
• Experience with characterization instruments such as AFM, Rheometer, FT-IR
• Experience in histological techniques

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Lynn Byrd at [email protected] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.