Laboratory & Research Specialist – Research Instrumentation

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

William & Mary seeks a part-time Laboratory & Research Specialist to support advanced scientific instrumentation used in multidisciplinary research and teaching.

The position assists with instrument operation, user training, sample analysis, instrument optimization, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting. The specialist will collaborate with ARC staff, faculty, students, researchers, and other users to ensure reliable operation and high-quality measurements.

Qualifications

• Experience operating, supporting, maintaining, or troubleshooting scientific instrumentation.
• Willingness to learn multiple analytical techniques and platforms.
• Ability to work independently and with laboratory users.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support instrumentation for research, teaching, and services.
• Train faculty, students, researchers, and users in proper operation.
• Assist with setup, optimization, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Perform sample prep, data collection, and routine analysis.
• Maintain documentation, procedures, and training materials.
• Coordinate with manufacturers, vendors, and service personnel.
• Support shared instrumentation facilities and lab organization.
• Assist with research projects aligned with ARC mission.

Skills

Instrumentation support

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Communication

Tools

Optical microscopy

SEM/FESEM

EDS

Profilometry

AFM

FTIR

Raman

XRD

ToF-SIMS

Data analysis software

Job description

Job Requisition:

JR102050 Laboratory & Research Specialist – Research Instrumentation (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Laboratory & Research Specialist – Research Instrumentation

Department:

CC00224 WM001 | PROV | Applied Research Center

Job Family:

Staff - Lab & Research Support

Worker Sub Type:

Wage-Continuing (non-benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

William & Mary

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

The Applied Research Center (ARC) at William & Mary seeks a part-time Laboratory & Research Specialist to support advanced scientific instrumentation used in multidisciplinary research and teaching.

The position assists with instrument operation, user training, sample analysis, instrument optimization, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting. The specialist will work with ARC staff, faculty, students, researchers, and other users to support reliable instrument operation and high-quality scientific measurements.

The successful candidate will have experience with scientific or technical instrumentation, strong practical problem-solving skills, and an interest in helping researchers and students use sophisticated laboratory equipment effectively.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience operating, supporting, maintaining, or troubleshooting scientific, analytical, imaging, or other complex technical instrumentation.
• Ability and willingness to learn multiple analytical techniques and instrumentation platforms.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with laboratory users.
• Effective communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Relevant experience may be acquired through employment, military or government service, technical or vocational training, education, or other comparable practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with one or more scientific instrumentation or materials-characterization techniques. Examples include:

• Optical microscopy
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/FESEM) and EDS
• Optical or stylus profilometry
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• FTIR or Raman spectroscopy
• X-ray diffraction (XRD)
• Mass spectrometry or surface analysis, including ToF-SIMS
• Vacuum-based analytical instrumentation
• Scientific imaging, data collection, or analysis software

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a non-exempt position, which may be eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• All hourly employees are subject to the limitations of the Virginia Manpower Control Program and total hours worked may not exceed, on average, 29 hours per week, over the course of a twelve-month period beginning May 1 each year.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory and research environments and comply with applicable university and laboratory safety procedures.
• Ability to perform hands‑on work with scientific and laboratory equipment, including work that may require standing, bending, reaching, lifting or moving equipment and components, and using hand tools.
• Ability to work in laboratory environments involving mechanical equipment, electrical systems, vacuum systems, compressed gases, pumps, and related research infrastructure.
• Must be able to complete required university and laboratory safety training.
• Work schedule will be coordinated with ARC operational needs and may occasionally require flexibility to support equipment installation, maintenance, repair, or vendor/service activities.
• Compensation: $21.00 per hr.

Job Duties:

• Operate and support scientific instrumentation used for research, teaching, and analytical services.
• Train and assist faculty, students, researchers, and other users in the proper operation of laboratory instrumentation.
• Assist with instrument setup, optimization, calibration, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
• Perform or assist with sample preparation, data collection, and routine analysis.
• Help maintain instrument performance, laboratory procedures, training materials, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate and interact with equipment manufacturers, vendors, and service personnel as needed.
• Assist with laboratory organization, consumables, and general operation of shared instrumentation facilities.
• Support research projects and other technical activities consistent with the mission of the ARC.

Additional Job Description:

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Job Profile:

JP0215 - Laboratory & Research Technician - Nonexempt - Hourly - H04

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Compensation Grade:

H04

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-09-02

Position Restrictions:

Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

Background Check:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Remote Work Disclaimer:

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the \"Know Your Rights\" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal