Wet Lab Lead Technician — Carbon & Nutrient Analysis (Telework Eligible)

FWI (FedWriters, Inc.); Muskegon (MI); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Long-term and Short-term Disability

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Holiday Pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

FWI is seeking a Wet Lab Lead Technician to helm laboratory operations supporting NOAA's GLERL. Lead water quality sampling programs across the Great Lakes, mentor staff, and ensure high-precision carbon and nutrient analyses essential to HABs and ecosystem research.

You will design lab workflows, maintain diverse chemistry instrumentation, and provide hands-on training to technical staff while collaborating on SOPs and data summaries for research publications and communications.

Qualifications

• BS degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, environmental science, limnology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Demonstrated experience working in a wet chemistry laboratory environment handling environmental samples.
• Experience with basic laboratory instrumentation and data entry software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace).
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to lift and carry a 50 lb load to assist with sample coolers and field gear.
• Ability to perform field work and handle sample collection on marine vessels.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and safely within a laboratory setting, function as part of a technical team, and strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and carry out water quality sampling programs across the Great Lakes.
• Provide calibration, deployment, and data analysis of in situ instrumentation used to measure nutrients and pigments.
• Identify techniques to measure nutrient cycling by aquatic organisms; maintain a nutrient analysis lab.
• Develop training materials and conduct training sessions on routine work and methods.
• Prepare environmental sampling plans focusing on nutrients, phytoplankton, and physical variables; analyze samples; maintain lab for beta‑emitting isotopes and more.
• Perform wet lab analyses on water and sediment samples focusing on carbon fractions and nutrients.
• Prepare reagents, standard solutions, and glassware; maintain cleanliness and quality protocols.
• Operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain core lab equipment (TOC analyzers, spectrophotometers, fluorometers).
• Run QA/QC procedures, document instrument performance, and maintain notebooks and SDS.
• Log and preserve field samples from GLERL vessels and networks.
• Assist scientists with field data and sample collection on NOAA boats during cruises.
• Collaborate to draft SOPs, data summaries, and quality records.
• Assist in developing figures and technical summaries for communications and publications.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication

Independent and safe lab work

Education

BS degree in chemistry or related field (chemistry/biochemistry/environmental science/limnology)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

FWI is seeking a Wet Lab Lead Technician to helm laboratory operations supporting NOAA's GLERL. Lead water quality sampling programs across the Great Lakes, mentor staff, and ensure high-precision carbon and nutrient analyses essential to HABs and ecosystem research.

You will design lab workflows, maintain diverse chemistry instrumentation, and provide hands-on training to technical staff while collaborating on SOPs and data summaries for research publications and communications.