Materials Research Technician

University of Missouri - Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

University benefits

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

The Materials Research Technician at the MURR laboratory under the University of Missouri system conducts hands-on experiments, prepares and tests specimens, and maintains instruments. The role reports to the Materials Laboratory Director and follows day-to-day direction from the PIE Materials Scientist.

Essential duties include specimen prep, testing, equipment maintenance, data recording, and safety compliance, with a typical Monday–Friday schedule and a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• BS in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in metallography, mechanical testing, or microscopy.
• Careful, documented work habits and ability to follow detailed written procedures.

Responsibilities

• Specimen preparation (section, mount, grind, polish) and testing per drawings.
• Run tensile and hardness tests and operate SEM and related instruments.
• Install, commission, and calibrate new equipment; manage consumables and inventory; track samples.

Skills

Metallography

Mechanical testing

Microscopy

Documentation

Education

BS in materials science or related field

Tools

SEM operation

EDS

Remote handling equipment

Job description

Hiring Department

MRR Research & Education

Job Description

The Materials Research Technician conducts hands-on experiments inthe new materials laboratory, preparing and testing specimens andkeeping instruments running. The technician reports to theMaterials Laboratory Director and takes day-to-day direction fromthe PIE Materials Scientist.

Essential duties (approximate effort)

• Specimen preparation (25%). Section, mount, grind, polish, andetch metallographic and microscopy specimens, including irradiatedspecimens using shielded or remote handling equipment. Machine orprepare test coupons to drawing.
• Testing and characterization (35%). Run tensile and hardnesstests, operate the SEM and related instruments, and perform otherexperiments to written test plans and ASTM methods.
• Laboratory operations (20%). Help install and commission newequipment. Perform routine maintenance and calibration, manageconsumables and inventory, and track samples with chain-of-custodyrecords.
• Data and documentation (10%). Record test data and observations,perform first-level data reduction, and maintain laboratorynotebooks and QA records.
• Safety, compliance, and other duties (10%). Follow radiationsafety, ALARA, and chemical hygiene practices, support radioactivematerial transfers and waste handling, and perform other relatedduties as assigned.

Required qualifications

• BS in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering,physics, chemistry, or a related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience, such as metallographic samplepreparation, mechanical testing, or microscopy, through coursework,research, internship, or employment.
• Careful, documented work habits and the ability to followdetailed written procedures.

Shift

Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in related/relevant area and at least 2 years ofexperience from which comparable knowledge and skills can beacquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in a materials testing orcharacterization laboratory.
• SEM operation experience, including EDS.
• Experience working with radioactive materials or in aradiological controlled area.
• Machining or shop experience.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $64,168 to $89,856 per year

Grade: GGS M11

University Title: MURR Research Specialist

Internal applicants can determine their University title byaccessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

• Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest inhelping build a new laboratory.
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Other Information

A life-saving operation in the middle of America — the Universityof Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) — needs you to help guide itsfuture. MURR is expanding its critical cancer-fighting and medicalisotope production.

MURR’s reactor is the highest-power university research reactor inthe United States, operating at 10 megawatts, 6.5 days a week and52 weeks a year. The MURR facility enables research across manydisciplines – From investigating ancient cultures and how plantsrespond to their environment, to analyzing industrial materials anddeveloping radiopharmaceuticals that have lifesaving clinicalapplications. The MURR facility is a reliable resource forresearchers, scientists, engineers and students across thecountry.

Be a part of the future of fighting cancer and saving lives.

Be a part of MURR

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features anda high quality of life for people of all ages and interests.Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, itslocation also makes it an attractive spot for businesses andtravelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbiais right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couplehours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is BooneCounty’s largest population center offering big-city culture,activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia ishome to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hostsmore than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow yourcareer, continue your education, raise a family, and retire,Columbia is good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ADA Accommodations

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director ofAccessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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