Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist - Environmental Analytical Laboratory

University of California - Merced; Merced, California, Village of Avon (CA, MO, NY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a Technical Director for its Environmental Analytical Laboratory. This pivotal role involves managing laboratory operations, ensuring safety compliance, and supporting multidisciplinary research and education. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in a relevant field and have extensive experience with advanced analytical instrumentation. You'll lead a team, manage budgets, and engage in outreach activities, all while contributing to the growth and sustainability of the laboratory. If you're passionate about environmental research and education, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in analytical or environmental chemistry or related field required.
• Experience with elemental and wet chemistry instrumentation preferred.
• Ability to lead analytical projects and work in diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and maintain laboratory instruments.
• Manage budgets and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support research, education, and outreach activities.

Skills

Elemental Chemistry Instrumentation

Wet Chemistry Instrumentation

Environmental Sample Analysis

Team Leadership

ICP-MS Operation

ICP-OES Operation

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry

Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry

Ph.D. in Geochemistry

Tools

ICP-OES

ICP-MS

Discrete Chemistry Analyzer

TOC/TN Analyzer

Microwave Digestion

CVAFS

Direct Mercury Analyzer

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Technical Director of Environmental Analytical Laboratory

Salary range: See Table 37B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is: Assistant Project Scientist $74,100-$82,100, Associate Project Scientist $90,100-$99,000, Project Scientist $104,000-$120,400.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: June 2025

Position duration: Assistant & Associate Project Scientist: 2 years, renewable. Project Scientist: 3 years, renewable

Application Window

Open date: March 19, 2025

Next review date: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Environmental Analytical Laboratory (EAL) is a core facility under management of the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED). It houses major instrumentation and provides expertise and training for analyzing a wide variety of environmental media. Current instrumentation includes ICP-OES, ICP-MS, Discrete Chemistry Analyzer, TOC/TN, microwave digestion, CVAFS, and a direct mercury analyzer. The facility offers reliable instrumentation access, sample preparation facilities, analytical consultation, and user training to support multidisciplinary research and education.

The Director of the EAL is responsible for supporting research, education, and outreach through daily operation, management, and maintenance of laboratory instruments. This includes developing a financially sustainable model, managing budgets, training staff, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, supporting courses, contributing to research publications, seeking funding, establishing collaborations, and engaging in outreach activities.

Key responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, maintaining instruments, training users, managing finances, ensuring safety compliance, supporting educational activities, contributing to research, seeking funding, establishing collaborations, and participating in outreach and university service activities.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications: Ph.D. in analytical or environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or a related field.

Preferred qualifications: Experience with elemental and wet chemistry instrumentation, environmental sample analysis, working effectively with diverse teams, leading analytical projects, and operating ICP-MS and ICP-OES instruments.

Application Requirements

Documents needed include a CV, cover letter, and completed Authorization of Information Release form. The latter is required due to university policy on misconduct disclosures.

Reference requirements

• Contact information for 3 references.

Apply link:

https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF01857

Help contact:

[e-mail]

About UC Merced

UC Merced is a recently established campus of the UC system, ranked highly nationally, committed to research excellence, sustainability, and community engagement. It offers inclusive educational opportunities to a diverse student body and is an equal opportunity employer.

Job location

Merced, CA