Cryogenics Specialist

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston seeks a Cryogenics Specialist to ensure a continuous supply of liquid helium and liquid nitrogen across its Evanston campus. You will manage the cryogenic systems, monitor performance, and develop and deliver training to users to promote safety and minimize helium losses.

The role emphasizes hands-on operation, maintenance of high-pressure systems, and coordination with the Cryogenic Facilities leadership to align with research needs and institutional safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• Experience maintaining high-pressure helium storage systems including dewar safety, pump maintenance and operation, leak detection and inventory management.
• Experience with storage, transfer, and usage of helium and nitrogen at cryogenic temperatures, including efficient transfer to dewars and He recovery.
• Machine operation skills.
• Computer and electronics skills.
• Cryogenic industrial hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Operate the helium liquefier and helium gas recovery system for the Evanston campus.
• Coordinate adding new users to the helium return system and develop tools to characterize the facility and detect failures.
• Monitor and distribute liquid nitrogen and gaseous nitrogen to campus users and maintain related systems.
• Maintain records and reporting to the Director of Cryogenic Facilities and university offices.
• Inspect and oversee reliability of bulk nitrogen delivery and distribution equipment.

Skills

Machine operation

Computer and electronics

Cryogenic hygiene

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

High-pressure He storage systems

Dewar maintenance

Helium recovery system

Job description

Evanston, Illinois

Department: Cryogenics Facility
Salary/Grade: NEX/14

Job Summary

Provide a brief description of the general nature of the position; an overview of why the job exists; and what the job is to accomplish.

The Cryogenics Specialist ensures and maintains a continuing supply of liquid helium and liquid nitrogen on Northwestern University's Evanston campus, through the Cryogenic Facility's helium liquefaction and liquid nitrogen systems. He/she develops methods to improve the efficiency and monitor performance of the cryogenics facility as well as developing and providing and executing cryogenics training for safe practice by facility users and to conserve helium a non-renewable resource. Excellent customer service and mechanical aptitude are required.

The Cryogenics Specialist will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities

• The Cryogenics Specialist runs the helium liquefier and operates the helium gas recovery system from users. This is a closed system encompassing all major science buildings on the Evanston campus, approximately 30,000 liquid liters per year. The Specialist coordinates adding new users to the He return system and develops tools to characterize the facility, rapidly detect mechanical failures, and reduce He losses throughout the system. The Specialist provides liquid nitrogen and monitors the gaseous nitrogen in an open system encompassing all major science buildings on the Evanston campus approximately, 36 million cubic feet of gas per year.
• The Cryogenics Specialist manages supply and billing including the ordering of raw product from providers, manages distribution of liquid helium, liquid nitrogen and gaseous nitrogen to all users on the Evanston campus. Maintain record keeping and reporting to the Director of Cryogenic Facilities, to the University's office of Research and Bureau of Land Management (helium).
• The Cryogenics Specialist operates and helps to maintain and repair liquid helium production equipment including eighteen 100 liter storage dewars, a 1,500 liter liquefaction dewar a 1410 liquefier, a RS screw compressor from Linde Cryogenics LC, two high pressure compressors (3000 psi), two reciprocating high throughput model 1400 compressors, storage for low and high pressure gas, and the gas recovery system. The Cryogenics Specialist helps to oversee bulk nitrogen delivery to a 6,000 gallon storage tank and maintain the liquid and gas nitrogen distribution system including three self-serve liquid delivery stations and seventy 160 liter liquid nitrogen dewars.
• Helium is a non-renewable resource in short supply suffering from wild swings in availability and price. The Cryogenics Specialist, must be knowledgeable of the helium market dynamics in order to strategically plan, adjust production and, most importantly, to reduce helium losses in order to maintain inventory that is of critical importance to research.
• The Cryogenics Specialist assists in the development of training modules and holds regular training workshops for the users of cryogenics, consistent with good practice to promote safety, to reduce losses, and to minimize the effects of raw product shortages. Research groups are beginning to operate their own He liquefaction systems. The Specialist must be able to inspect these systems to ensure isolation of interoperability with the central He return system.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, experience &/or training.
• Experience maintaining high-pressure He storage systems including dewar safety, pump maintenance and operation, leak detection and inventory management.
• Experience with storage, transfer, and usage of He and Nitrogen at cryogenic temperatures, including efficient transfer to dewars, transfer within labs, and He recovery.
• Minimum Competencies
• Machine operation skills.
• Computer and electronics skills.
• Cryogenic industrial hygiene.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Instrument making and heavy machine experience
• Computer and electronics operation and repair experience
• Remote monitoring of gas flow / pressure.
• Low and high pressure system design.

Preferred Competencies

• Instrument making and heavy machine operation and maintenance skills.
• Computer and electronics capabilities/skills
• Helium liquefaction and liquid nitrogen handing skills

Target hiring range for this position will be between $31.50-$35.80 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.