Utah State University

Laboratory Technician

City Logan Campus
Posted Date 4 weeks ago(9/23/2024 4:01 PM)
Requisition ID
2024-8398
# of Openings
1
Job Locations
US-UT-Logan
Category (Portal Searching)
Research (non-Faculty)
Position Type
Non-benefited (hourly) Full-Time
Job Classification
Non-Benefited
Percent of Time or Hours per Week
40 Hours per week
College
Quinney College of Natural Resourcs
Department
Watershed Sciences
Advertised Salary
$20.00 - $25.00 per hour, Commensurate with experience
Telework Eligible
No

Overview

The Environmental Biogeochemistry and Paleolimnology Lab at Utah State University is seeking a full-time laboratory technician. 
 
Our group researches the effect of climate change and direct anthropogenic disturbances on aquatic and other terrestrial ecosystems. We analyze water, sediment, soil, organisms, and atmospheric dust samples for elemental composition (https://janicebrahney.weebly.com). This position is for an NSF-supported project examining the composition of dust fall through canopies. The technician may also assist with other projects and work with associated faculty and their students in the Quinney College of Natural Resources who require the use of the facilities. The technician will also have the opportunity to engage in research through fieldwork, analyses, and manuscript preparation. 
 
The position has a start date of October 1, 2024 

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include:

  • Learn to use laboratory and field instrumentation to assist students and postdocs
  • Operate instruments in the lab including a FIALyzer, Lachat FIA/IC, Skalar TOC/TN, Spectrophotometers, and FTIR.
  • Train students on methods used in the lab and the field
  • Ensure safety standards are met and students are operating to code, and maintain an inventory of laboratory supplies/consumables.
  • Assist with field research activities
  • Actively participate in research activities including method development, lab meetings, workshops, and seminars.
  • Manage the use of the facilities by external faculty and students

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Candidates should have at least a B.S. or M.S. in biogeochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, ecology, environmental sciences, or a closely related discipline. 
  • Analytical laboratory experience in the biogeosciences is required

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with wet lab and clean techniques, QAQC procedures, and specifically familiarity with some of the following Flow-Injection Analyses, Ion Chromatography, Spectrophotometry, Fluorometry, Gas Chromatography, FTIR, and soil digestion methods
  • Experience with fieldwork

Required Skills

  • Openness to constructive feedback
  • An ability to communicate concerns, questions
  • Timeliness, reliability, and an ability to follow details protocols
  • Attention to detail

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

  1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
  2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application: Please indicate why you are interested in the position, are a good fit, and how your experience meets the desired required and preferred qualifications. 
  3. The names and contact information for 3 professional references are to be entered into the Candidate Profile. 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$20.00 - $25.00 per hour, Commensurate with experience

ADA

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work performed. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).  

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.  

College/Department Highlights

The Department of Watershed Sciences is a powerhouse in the science of ‘wet’ ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and the watersheds that feed them. We are deeply committed to making that science useful for wise planning, management, and restoration, and are well-positioned to study and solve complex, interdisciplinary problems with our cadre of ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and others.
 
As one of the most productive research entities at Utah State University, we are engaged in a wide variety of fundamental and applied projects. Our research spans some of the most remote and wildest parts of the world to densely populated urban areas. While much of our research is focused on specific watershed systems, we are informing policy and management at the scale of some of the largest and most charismatic resources in the world, including the Mississippi, Columbia, and Colorado rivers, the Mekong Delta, and the Great Barrier Reef. Some of the big questions that cut across our research groups include:
How do climate, geomorphology, biogeochemistry and hydrology interact to influence biodiversity and species interactions at different spatial scales?
How is global climate and environmental change manifesting at regional and local scales? What are the implications for water availability, aquatic biodiversity and species interactions, water quality, and recreation?
 
How have humans modified water, sediment and nutrient dynamics? How do specific policy and management practices affect ecosystem health and resilience?
How can we most effectively and sustainably restore the structure and function of lake, wetland, stream and riverscape ecosystems?
We have a very supportive and inclusive culture in the department. Diversity enhances our research, teaching, and outreach contributions by infusing our community with a variety of ways to understand the world, identify challenges, and deliver solutions. We welcome opportunities to engage with traditional knowledge and we continually strive to provide a safe environment that is open to all. We support and seek to live out Utah State University’s statements on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Land Acknowledgement.
 
About Logan 
Logan, Utah is situated at the foot of the picturesque and easily accessible Bear River Mountain Range, just across from the rugged Wellsville Mountains, about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Logan is consistently ranked among the safest small cities in America, and outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains. We are also just a few hours away from the red rock country of southern Utah, the wild Uinta and Wind River ranges, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. The view outside our windows reminds us daily of our charge to better understand and conserve our natural resources.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023

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