Laboratory Operations Specialist: Instrumentation & Training

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN seeks a Laboratory Operations Specialist (P2/P3) to support the Research Instrumentation Center. The role includes operating and maintaining sophisticated instrumentation, training researchers, and ensuring safe, efficient lab operations.

At P2 you will assist with oversight of lab users and instrumentation under supervision; at P3 you will lead with independence, develop training materials, and establish procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
• 2+ years of experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific equipment.
• Experience training or mentoring researchers in using lab instrumentation.
• Ability to prepare samples and perform instrumental analysis including quantification.
• Preferred: advanced degree and experience in an academic core facility.

Responsibilities

• Support daily laboratory operations and guide RIC users.
• Train researchers on instrument operation and data acquisition.
• Perform maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of instrumentation.
• Provide sample analysis services (mass spectrometry, TGA, CHN).
• Manage instrument scheduling and access systems.
• Develop policies, procedures, and training resources for RIC operations.
• Collaborate with management and faculty on lab initiatives and improvements.
• Participate in outreach through presentations and talks.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Instrumentation maintenance

Training & mentoring

Data acquisition & analysis

Analytical method development

Safety compliance

Technical writing

Project coordination

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Tools

ICP-MS

TGA

CHN analysis instrumentation

Optical spectroscopy

AFM

EPR spectroscopy

iLab software

Job description

Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN seeks a Laboratory Operations Specialist (P2/P3) to support the Research Instrumentation Center. The role includes operating and maintaining sophisticated instrumentation, training researchers, and ensuring safe, efficient lab operations.

At P2 you will assist with oversight of lab users and instrumentation under supervision; at P3 you will lead with independence, develop training materials, and establish procedures.