Research Support Specialist I

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Wellness programs

Education benefits

Floating holidays

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking a Research Support Specialist I to support small molecule quantification projects within the Department of Entomology. The role involves analytical chemistry, chromatography, data collection and interpretation, and collaborative laboratory operations.

Responsibilities include operating GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS systems, coordinating sample preparation, data analysis, and reporting results to researchers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related science; 2–4 years experience.
• Strong background in analytical chemistry and chromatography.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with Chromeleon and TraceFinder.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS instrumentation.
• Coordinate extraction, sample prep, data collection, analysis and basic stats.
• Interpret and summarize analytical data for researchers and clients.
• Maintain lab equipment, supplies, purchases and waste disposal.
• Develop and maintain lab protocols; ensure safety compliance.
• Train undergraduate and graduate students in lab procedures.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grants, reports and other materials.

Skills

GC-MS/MS

LC-MS/MS

Analytical chemistry

Data analysis

Statistics (R)

Lab safety

Written communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related

Advanced degree (PhD/Masters) preferred

Tools

Chromeleon

TraceFinder

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Photoshop

Job description

The Department of Entomology at Cornell University is seeking a highly qualified professional to support new and ongoing research focused on small molecule quantification. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research involving analytical chemistry, chromatography, natural products chemistry, and ecotoxicology.

The successful candidate will work with researchers, students, and laboratory staff to support chemical analysis, data collection and interpretation, laboratory operations, and research activities. The position requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain GC-MS/MS instrumentation and be familiar with LC-MS/MS instrumentation to support small molecule quantification and research.
• Coordinate chemical extraction, sample preparation, data collection, analysis, and basic statistical analysis of environmental and chemistry samples.
• Evaluate, interpret, and summarize analytical data and communicate results to researchers and other clients.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, computers, facilities, and supplies, including ordering materials and coordinating purchases and waste disposal.
• Develop and maintain laboratory protocols and ensure research activities comply with safety requirements.
• Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory procedures and assist with research projects.
• Contribute to manuscripts, grants, reports, and other research materials through writing, revision, and proofreading.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), one-year term Contract College position based in Ithaca, NY, with the possibility of extension. This position is fully on-site. Work hours will be mutually agreed upon at the time of hire.

About the Department of Entomology

The Department of Entomology was founded in 1896 at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, New York.

Our mission is threefold: to pursue studies to understand basic and applied aspects of insect biology; to provide a robust and modern curriculum as part of preeminent undergraduate and graduate programs; and to inform and educate the public about the issues related to insects and other arthropods.

Our faculty primarily works on two campuses: Cornell University’s main campus in Ithaca and Cornell AgriTech in Geneva. We also work in two agricultural field stations in New York state. Our department houses some of the world’s preeminent resources for the study of entomology, including one of the world’s largest insect collections, working farms of all sizes, a major honey bee colony and state-of-the-art laboratories.

What We Need

We are seeking a team-oriented and collaborative professional who is highly organized, works well in a fast-paced environment, and builds positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

Additionally, you will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree or completion of a four-year formal training program in chemistry, chemical ecology, ecotoxicology, or a related science, plus 2 to 4 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A strong background and research experience in analytical chemistry, chromatography, and interest in ecotoxicology.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as part of a research team. Applicants should be comfortable with basic computer programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop, as well as specialized chromatography programs including Chromeleon and TraceFinder.
• The ability to manage databases in Excel and perform basic statistical analyses in R.
• The ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide variety of people while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment.
• Visual concentration, attention to detail and manual dexterity are required.
• The ability to lift 20-50 pounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• PhD or Master’s degree or other formal training program of equivalence in chemistry, chemical ecology, ecotoxicology, or related sciences.
• Extensive experience operating, maintaining, and developing new methods for GC-MS/MS applications, and experience with LC-MS/MS.

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York and fully on-site.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title: Research Support Spec I

Job Family: Academic Support

Level: E

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Pay Range: $65,447.00 - $75,632.00

Remote Option Availability: Onsite

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Jamie Doss

Contact Email: [e-mail]

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• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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2026-10-05

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Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

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