Research Support Specialist - Temporary

Iowa State University - College of Design; Ames, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Iowa State University - College of Design is seeking a Temporary Research Support Specialist in Ames, IA to join the W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Laboratory.

The role provides technical, analytical, and operational support for metabolomics and small molecule analyses, with emphasis on instrument maintenance, method development, onboarding, and data handling. The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field, plus experience in a lab setting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or related scientific field.
• Experience in a research or analytical lab environment.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation and software platforms.
• Experience with data management or research workflows.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical, analytical, and operational support for metabolomics projects.
• Assist with instrument maintenance, method development, and onboarding.
• Coordinate high-priority projects and manage data analysis tasks.
• Support lab operations and collaborate with researchers and staff.

Skills

Analytical instrumentation experience

Data analysis

Laboratory operations

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry

Tools

GC-MS

HPLC

LC-MS

GC-FID

Job description

## Research Support Specialist - TemporaryApply: Ames, IA: Part time: Posted Yesterday: R20011## Position Title:Research Support Specialist - Temporary## Appointment Type:Professional & Scientific## Job Description:**Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:** The W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Laboratory is seeking a Temporary Research Support Specialist to provide technical, analytical, and operational support for metabolomics and small molecule analysis projects. The position will assist laboratory staff with urgent instrumentation maintenance, high priority project coordination, data analysis, crucial method and platform devolvement and onboarding, and general laboratory operations as needed. The individual will support metabolomics research activities in a fee for service core facility using advanced analytical instrumentation. The position will help boost laboratory operations, improve analytical workflows, and expand laboratory capacity through method optimization, preventive maintenance, and operational improvements. This temporary position provides flexible support across instrumentation maintenance, analytical method development/onboarding, project coordination, data analysis, and laboratory administration. The role is designed to strengthen and recover laboratory operations while advancing new and existing analytical methodologies and improving overall laboratory efficiency. The individual will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. They will also have effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external researchers. **Required Minimum Qualifications:**· Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related scientific discipline. · Experience working in a research or analytical laboratory environment. · Experience with analytical instrumentation and associated software platforms. · Experience with scientific data analysis, data management, or research workflows. **Preferred Qualifications:** · Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related field. · Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing analytical instrumentation, including GC-MS, HPLC, LC-MS, GC-FID, or related platforms. · Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting mass spectrometry or chromatography data. · Experience with metabolomics, lipidomics, amino acid analysis, or related small-molecule analytical workflows. · Experience supporting collaborative research projects and communicating technical findings to diverse scientific audiences. · Experience developing, documenting, validating, or improving analytical methods and standard operating procedures. · Experience with inventory management, laboratory operations, training, or user support in a shared or core research facility environment.Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. **Application Instructions:** To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:* Resume/Curriculum VitaeIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.## Proposed Start Date:October 15, 2026## Number of Months Employed Per Year:## Time Type:Part time## Pay Grade:P&S Temporary## Original Posting Date:September 29, 2026## Posting Close Date:## Job Requisition Number:R20011