Research Instrumentation Technician

Ohio; Athens (OH); On-site; USD 34,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Medical benefits

Vision benefits

Dental benefits

Life insurance

Educational benefits

Sick leave

Vacation

Retirement plan

Winter break closure

Job summary

Ohio University is seeking a Research Instrumentation Technician to design, fabricate, install, and maintain custom scientific devices for the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. The role involves independent collaboration with faculty, staff, and vendors to deliver precise, safe research solutions.

The candidate will work with machine shop tools, manage equipment, and support research space transitions while promoting best lab safety practices and educational benefits for staff and students.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3–5 years of related professional experience, or equivalent education and experience.
• Preferred: degrees in engineering technology, mechanical/electrical engineering, or related fields; welding or safety training.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, fabricates, installs, and modifies custom scientific devices from CAD drawings or specifications.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs scientific instruments and lab equipment.
• Operates and maintains departmental machine shop equipment including lathe, drills, welding, electrical, vacuum, optical, and filtration systems.
• Collaborates with faculty, staff, students, contractors, and vendors to deliver safe, cost-effective research solutions.

Skills

CAD software

Machining

Fabrication

Troubleshooting

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Associate degree as substitute for Bachelor

Tools

CAD software tools

Welding training

Job description

Research Instrumentation Technician

To support relocation to the area, the University may offer a relocation bonus to the selected candidate, subject to eligibility and applicable University guidelines.

Posting Details

Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the 'Posting End Date' shown below.

Business Title Research Instrumentation Technician

Applications Accepted From Public: Open to the Public

This position is eligible for the following benefits: medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement.

This position utilizes a variety of technical skills to provide advanced technical support for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry through designing, machining, and fabricating custom scientific devices and components from faculty concepts, sketches, CAD drawings, or specifications to perform within precise tolerances; installing and modifying specialized equipment to meet the research needs and functions, and goals; maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific instruments, laboratory equipment, and specialized research devices.

Operates and maintains the departmental machine shop equipment including lathe, drills, welding, electrical, vacuum, optical, and filtration systems. Supports laboratory utilities, equipment moves, research-space transitions, and safe handling of compressed gases, vacuum systems, water-purification systems, and potentially contaminated equipment.

Works independently with faculty, staff, students, University units, contractors, and vendors to develop practical, safe, and cost-effective solutions for research and instructional needs.

Promotes safe laboratory and maintenance practices by educating faculty, staff, students, and others on best practices. Recommend policies to improve the lab environment. Maintain PPE supply, MSDS information, eye wash station, first aid station.

Position Profile Provides engineering expertise in designing and maintaining University facilities and systems. Ensures high-quality, innovative infrastructure for the University's growth. Conducts research and development activities related to the design, development, fabrication, modification, installation, and testing of state-of-the art electronics or electronic components. Responsibilities include programmatic administration, coordination and management of projects, budgetary oversight, facilities management, and leadership of programs and services. Functions may include specialized architectural, engineering, site, and construction services; energy engineering; project scheduling, estimating, and management; and specialized research-related engineering.

Level Summary Provides professional expertise to the University community. Serves as a resource and guide to others in the department and/or university. Completes operational tasks essential for the daily functioning of the University. Additionally, contributes to larger projects or initiatives that align with department or University goals, often collaborating across teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities May assist in mentoring or training new employees. Fiscal Responsibilities No budgetary responsibility. May be responsible for validating transactions. Problem Solving Handles a variety of problems with some independence. Independence of Action Some supervision; able to work independently on routine tasks. Communication and Collaboration Collaborates with team members and shares knowledge.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, and use of hand and power tools; sustained fine-motor and visual work for precision fabrication and repair.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of tools, cylinders, parts, and equipment; ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently and to use team lifts, carts, hoists, rigging, or contracted movers for heavier loads.
• Work in machine-shop and laboratory environments with noise, vibration, sharp tools, hot surfaces, compressed gases, vacuum equipment, chemicals, oils, dust, fumes, and potentially contaminated equipment; required use of appropriate PPE and engineering controls.
• Occasional work at height, in confined equipment spaces, outdoors, or outside normal business hours when necessary to respond to urgent equipment or utility failures.

Minimum Qualifications Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3-5 years of related professional experience, or equivalent education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, chemistry, or a related field is preferred.
• An Associate degree or completed vocational/technical program in machining, mechanical technology, mechatronics, industrial technology, electrical technology, chemical technology, engineering technology, or a closely related field may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree. An Associate degree will be considered equivalent to two years of education and must be accompanied by a minimum of five years of related professional experience.
• Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree may be considered with a minimum of seven years of related professional experience in place of the degree requirement.
• Experience in a chemistry, physics, engineering, biomedical, or other research-intensive laboratory environment.
• Experience maintaining RO/DI/ultrapure-water systems, vacuum pumps, autoclaves, centrifuges, compressed-gas systems, laser-table installations, or comparable research infrastructure.
• Proficiency with CAD software and experience producing components from CAD drawings.
• Training or certification in welding/brazing, rigging or powered industrial trucks, chemical hygiene, hazardous-material awareness, lockout/tagout, or related safety areas.
• Advanced practical knowledge of machining, fabrication, mechanical systems, materials, tolerances, and repair methods.
• Working knowledge of chemical compatibility, laboratory hazards, contamination control, and safe work practices in research or industrial environments.

Department Chemistry and Biochemistry

Pay Rate The starting salary range is $24.65 up to $32.67 per hour, dependent on education, skills, and prior experience and is accompanied by our generous university benefits such as tuition for self and dependents, a comprehensive insurance package (including but not limited to health, prescription, vision, dental, and life insurance), an excellent retirement plan including company contributions, parental leave, adoption reimbursement, and more. OHIO is also proud to offer wellness programs, on-site wellness facilities, and a generous employee assistance program. Additional Information is available at: https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/.

To support relocation to the area, the University may offer a relocation bonus to the selected candidate, subject to eligibility and applicable University guidelines.

Total Compensation Estimator (For Full-Time Benefits Eligible Employees)

Discover the full value of joining Ohio University by clicking this link:

https://www.ohio.edu/hr/compensation/total-compensation-estimator

Our Total Compensation Estimator shows your offer package in dollars: salary plus university paid benefits including health coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, tuition benefits, and more.

See details on what we offer in one place and compare different options for retirement and insurance.

Estimates are informational only; exact coverage is determined by eligibility policies and official plan documents.

Pay Grade 17NE Pay Range $24.65-$41.03 FLSA Status Non-Exempt Job Category Administrative at-will appointment Employment Type full-time regular Job Family Engineering, Architecture & Plng Job Sub Family R & D Engineering Job Level IC2NE Job Open Date 09/25/2026 Posting End Date 10/11/2026 Planning Unit College of Arts & Sciences Work Schedule Monday through Friday, usually 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Due to the nature of the work, occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support critical research or instructional activities, perform equipment maintenance, respond to emergencies, or address other operational needs. Months 12 month Campus Athens, Ohio Expected hours worked per week 40 Expected duration of assignment Ongoing Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position. Joey Pierce, [e-mail]

Non-Discrimination Statement Ohio university is proud of its rich history and as part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military service or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, or any other bases under the law. Ohio university is an equal access/equal opportunity employer.

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Ohio University Human Resources | Grosvenor West 103 | 1 Ohio University | Athens, OH 45701| T: 740.593.1636 | F: 740.593.0386