Research Specialist 1 or 2 (Machinist)

Louisiana State University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Wellness benefits

Tuition exemption

Training and development

Employee discounts

Job summary

Louisiana State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy machine shop, seeks a Research Specialist 1 or 2 (Machinist) to design and fabricate instrumentation for experiments. You will work with lathes, milling, CNC equipment including HAAS machines, and waterjet.

The role demands precision, safety, and teamwork in a busy shop. Responsibilities range from setup and programming to fabricating complex prototypes with tight tolerances, using GibbsCam, and coordinating with faculty projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Degree substitute - 4 years teaching/research/professional/administrative officer level experience.
• (Research Specialist 1) 1 year related experience.
• (Research Specialist 2) 3 years of related experience.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise.
• Candidates with relevant experience encouraged to apply; degree not required if experience meets.

Responsibilities

• Set up machines and fixtures for holding and clamping workpieces with appropriate tooling.
• Utilize welding, threading, turning, boring, and shaping of exotic parts on various machines.
• Calculate dimensional aspects of threads and ensure close tolerances.
• Machine exotic metals including ferrous, non-ferrous metals and plastics.
• Program CNC machines using Virtual Gibbs and HAAS setups.
• Utilize desktop PC skills for mail and file management.
• Assist with related duties incidental to the work.

Skills

Manual machining

CNC programming

Welding

Quality measurement

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

4 years experience substitute

1 year related experience (RS1)

3 years related experience (RS2)

Tools

HAAS milling machines

HAAS turning/lathe

GibbsCam

Job description

Job Posting Title: Research Specialist 1 or 2 (Machinist)

Position Type: Professional / Unclassified

Department: LSUAM Science - PA - Machine Shop (Vincent Guy Vaughn (00008618))

Work Location: 0056B Charles E. Coates Hall

Pay Grade: Professional

Job Description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy machine shop has an opening for a research specialists 1 or 2 (Machinist) to assist with the design and fabrication of instrumentation for experimental research. Equipment includes various manual lathes, milling machines and CNC equipment; HAAS VF-2 CNC milling machine, HAAS TM OP milling machine, HAAS TL-1 CNC Lathe, and OMAX waterjet.

Responsibilities for Research Specialist 1

• Set up machines and/or create fixtures for holding and clamping work pieces using appropriate tooling, tool holders, and cutting tool sharpening.
• Utilize welding, threading, turning operations, boring, and shaping of exotic parts on various machines.
• Calculate dimensional aspects of Sharp-V, American Standard, Unified, Acme and Square threads.
• Compute and perform close tolerance fits and machine exotic metals including ferrous, non-ferrous metals, elemental metals and plastics (e.g. Teflon, pvc. pmma, delrin).
• Programming of CNC machines using Virtual Gibbs, HAAS milling machine setup and operation.
• Utilize computer skills including desktop PC operation (e.g., e-mail, downloading files, etc.).
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described above.

Responsibilities for Research Specialist 2

• Manages setting up machines and/or create fixtures for holding and clamping work pieces using appropriate tooling, tool holders, and cutting tool sharpening.
• Utilize welding, threading, turning operations, boring, and shaping of exotic parts on various machines.
• Calculate dimensional aspects of Sharp-V, American Standard, Unified, Acme and Square threads.
• Compute and perform close tolerance fits and machine exotic metals including ferrous, non-ferrous metals, elemental metals and plastics (e.g. Teflon, pvc. pmma, delrin).
• Responsible for producing complex prototype parts to high tolerance design specifications.
• Will be assigned to manage individual faculty projects.
• Programming of CNC machines using Virtual Gibbs, HAAS milling machine setup and operation.
• Utilize computer skills including desktop PC operation (e.g., e-mail, downloading files, etc.).
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• (Both) Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Degree substitute - 4 years teaching/research/professional/administrative officer level experience.
• (Research Specialist 1) 1 year related experience;
• (Research Specialist 2) 3 years of related experience.
• LSU values skills, experience, and expertise.

Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply - a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong manual experience on Lathes and Mills, CNC experience (HAAS Mill);
• Familiar with GibbsCam programming software Tungsten Inert Gas welding skills with stainless and aluminum.

Other Requirement:

• Due to the nature of the position and/or position responsibilities this position shall be subject to drug/alcohol testing in accordance with University Policy Statement 67.

Skills Needed

• Critical Thinking
• Data Analysis
• Detail-Oriented
• Following Protocols
• Functional Expertise
• Materials Handling
• Safe Work Practices
• Troubleshooting

Preferred Skills

• Posting Date: July 30, 2026
• Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): November 27, 2026

Background Check

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement options
• various leave options
• paid holidays
• wellness benefits
• tuition exemption for qualified positions
• training and development opportunities
• employee discounts
• and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance.

Positions employed through Employer of Record Services

Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N)

N

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.

Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university's ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana's 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana's Flagship University is a land- and sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (LSU), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans LSU Health Science Center - Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.