Research Assistant III

Position Summary

This position will oversee IMS instrument (Bruker ultrafleXtreme) and all GC/MS instruments and IMS instrument and accessories including routine maintenance; design, perform and report service analyses for Core clients; perform client-specific training of GC/MS and IMS instrument users; perform preparation of samples for mass spectrometric analysis from biological and other sample matrices; report monthly use of instruments for billing purposes; maintain compliance with required safety training through MSU EHS; arrange for replenishment of essential laboratory supplies needed for sample preparation and sample analyses and dispose of wastes using appropriate safe procedures.

Primary job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all IMS and GC/ MS instruments in the RTSF Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Core (two Agilent 5975, one Thermo DSQ-II, and one Waters GCT Premier) and accessories (autosamplers for vials, headspace analysis, and thermal desorption analysis) including routine maintenance, regular performance assessments, coordination of major repairs with vendors, and management of spare parts inventories
• Maintain IMS and GC/MS data system computers and archiving of IMS and GC/MS data
• Design, perform, and report service analyses using IMS and GC/MS for Core clients
• Provide oral status reports and make recommendations for procedures at weekly staff meetings
• Manage liquid nitrogen and compressed gas supplies including cylinder ordering and return following safe procedures
• Manage gas compressor and associated membrane nitrogen generator including minor maintenance tasks and coordination with external maintenance/repair personnel
• Perform client-specific training of IMS and GC/MS instrument users
• Assist IMS and GC/MS instrument users with experiment design, instrument operation, and data analysis 
• Report monthly use of instruments described above for billing purposes
• Design, test, and write standard operating procedures for sample preparation and IMS and GC/MS analyses of a wide range of samples.

Applicants are expected to have strong verbal and writing English communication skills and working knowledge of basic principles and common practice of quantitative IMS and GC/MS including sample preparation, instrumental analysis, and data interpretation with at least one year of hands-on IMS and GC/MS experience.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which would be normally acquired by completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, chemical engineering; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive laboratory work experience involving use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a highly-motivated and problem-solving team player with strong understanding of the fundamentals of quantitative chemical analysis using GC/MS, familiarity with solid phase microextraction (SPME) and thermal desorption GC/MS, working knowledge and under standing of organic chemistry relevant to derivatization for GC, strong interpersonal communication skills, record of achievements in the application of GC/MS to solve research problems, competency with HPLC and LC/MS analyses, competency in use of Agilent ChemStation, Thermo XCalibur, Waters MassLynx, Microsoft Windows, and Microsoft Office software, commitment to serving Core clients’ needs, ability to meet project deadlines, and familiarity with safe laboratory practices that involve chemicals, compressed gases, and cryogens.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Related training certificates
• Three professional references
• LinkedIn profile and or website if available (Optional) 

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

99991231

Website

HTTPS://RTSF.NATSCI.MSU.EDU

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 05/06/2025 at 11:55 PM