Research Support Specialist I (CHESS Operator)

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care options

Generous retirement contributions

Wellness programs and discounts

Job summary

Cornell University, via CHESS, invites applications for a Research Support Specialist I to assist with design, assembly, commissioning, and maintenance of specialized equipment in a high‑energy synchrotron facility at CHESS. You will also analyze data and support researchers around the clock, including nights and weekends.

The role emphasizes a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with 2–4 years lab experience, strong communication, reliability, and adaptability within a team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical field and 2–4 years of practical experience in a lab setting.
• Ability to communicate clearly with people from varied backgrounds.
• Demonstrated reliability, self-motivation, and good judgment.
• Ability to adapt to changing research needs and work well in a team.
• Willingness to support 24/7 operations including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
• Experience troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and maintenance of experimental facilities and equipment.
• Design, develop, assemble, and commission specialized equipment.
• Track and analyze research data and instrument performance.
• Write or modify computer programs and scripts.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain lab equipment; provide technical support to researchers.
• Work on long-term projects and experimental upgrades; collaborate with other staff.
• Support visiting researchers (approx. 30% of time) and operate with 24/7 coverage.

Skills

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Reliability

Self-motivation

Judgment

Adaptability

Safety culture

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

Linux

Bash

Python

SPEC control software

EPICS

Git

Subversion

Job description

Research Support Specialist I (CHESS Operator)

Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences & Education

The Opportunity

Research Support Specialists contribute to the research mission of the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) by assisting with the development and maintenance of experimental facilities and equipment and determining how to best achieve the necessary research objectives. As a Research Support Specialist I, you will share responsibility for designing, developing, assembling, and commissioning specialized equipment; tracking and analyzing research data and instrument performance; writing and/or modifying computer programs and scripts; troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining specialized laboratory equipment; and providing technical support to researchers in the facility.

You will work on long‑term projects and experimental upgrades about 70% of the time – sometimes on individual projects, but often collaborating with other technical staff. Projects may involve any of the following:

• Ultra-high vacuum systems
• Integrating hardware and software
• Safety (including chemicals, lasers, radiation, electrical, robotics, hazardous material handling)
• Cryogenics
• Control systems
• Mechanical engineering – design, fabrication, assembly, testing
• Motion control
• Programming
• PLC design and programming
• Electronics
• Hands‑on work (soldering, machining, troubleshooting mechanical systems, relocating laboratory equipment)

You also will provide direct support and oversight to our visiting researchers (about 30% of your time). You will work as part of a team of research support specialists who provide technical support in the lab 24 hours a day when we are operating the facility for research. Working some nights, weekends, and holidays is required for this position.

About CHESS

The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is an internationally-recognized research facility that provides high intensity X-ray beams and state-of-the-art instrumentation to scientists and students from university, government, and industrial labs around the world. These groups employ CHESS to conduct research in areas ranging from biology, physics, and chemistry to mechanical and structural engineering, advanced manufacturing, environmental science, materials science, and cultural heritage. CHESS is part of the Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education (CLASSE), which carries out frontier research in accelerator physics and engineering as well as supporting operation of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) for photon science through CHESS.

What We Need

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical field (physical sciences or engineering preferred), and two to four years of practical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The experience should have involved a broad range of skills to support scientific research in a laboratory setting, such as troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining equipment; hands‑on design or assembly work; and data collection/analysis.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with people from varied backgrounds.
• Work history demonstrating self‑motivation, reliability, and use of good judgment.
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of a research environment.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively within a team environment.
• A commitment to upholding and advancing laboratory safety practices and culture.
• Experience prioritizing multiple tasks/responsibilities and seeing them through to completion; demonstrated time management skills.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Ability to be available to supporting the facility’s 24/7 operation schedule, including working some scheduled evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Additionally, experience or familiarity with two or more of the following topics are preferred for this position:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Assessing experimental procedures for chemical and/or biological hazards and applying controls that permit the safe execution of the procedures.
• Linux, scripting languages such as bash and python, SPEC and EPICs control system software, and version control systems such as git and subversion.
• Developing and maintaining IOC servers to support hardware and software components.
• Writing technical documentation and/or standard operating procedures.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is located in Ithaca, New York, on the campus of Cornell University. Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. This is a fixed‑term position with an initial appointment period of three years and is renewable based on available funding and satisfactory performance.
• 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.

Important Notes About Applying

• The hiring committee will review applications as received and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.
• 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

Job Titles and Pay Ranges

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2025-10-29