Research Scientist III

Position Title:
Research Scientist III

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
• Advanced degree in physical or analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Applications experience with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and related technologies.
• A publication record with a focus on NMR applications or methodology
• Experience in an instrumentation service group at university, a research group with an instrumentation focus, national lab, corporate research lab, or similar.
• Experience with basic website editing and NMR acquisition and processing software.
• Experience in preparation of instrumentation grant proposals and the installation of major instruments.
• Experience writing proposals, training materials and communicating with others.
• Experience with troubleshooting and repair of NMR instrumentation.

Job Description:

Summary

The Department of Chemistry seeks a Research Scientist to be part of the Chemical Instrumentation Facility (CIF) with a specialty in solution or solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, or a related field.

The Research Scientist will be primarily responsible for oversight, training, and maintenance for six NMR spectrometers in CIF, including three solution NMR spectrometers, two cryoprobe-equipped solution NMR spectrometers, and one solid-state NMR spectrometer. Additional responsibilities may include oversight and maintenance of an x-band EPR spectrometer, other analytical chemistry instrumentation as needed, and general facility maintenance duties in CIF. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty major users and their research groups, in addition to other staff scientists in the CIF.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Training and indirect supervision of the research activities of graduate students and collaboration on new methodologies and research projects when appropriate

• Day-to-day instrument maintenance and repairs.

• Preparation of grant proposals and annual reports for funding agencies and internal purposes.

• Evaluation and acquisition of new instrumentation.

• Development of training materials as well as development and implementation of outreach programs.

• Maintaining user training records, user email lists, monthly billing for facility users, and other administrative tasks.

The successful candidate will:

• Have excellent technical skills in at least one area noted and will be willing to learn new NMR methodologies, pulse sequence coding, automation programming and data processing.

• Have interest in or experience with maintaining websites and will work on modernizing and streamlining electronic instrument booking, electronic usage tracking and remote data storage.

• Possess excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with faculty, graduate students, and instrument companies.

• Possess excellent writing skills for crafting training materials and grant proposals.

Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS810

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• This job may also be eligible for flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours and a hybrid working environment.

Original Posting Date:
March 27, 2024

Posting Close Date:
April 16, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R14267