LABORATORY MANAGER: Marine Organic Geochemistry Lab

Req #: 48190

Department: SCHOOL OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Job Location: Seattle Campus

Posting Date: 09/05/2008 

Closing Info: Open Until Filled

Salary: Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The School of Oceanography, part of the College of Ocean and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Washington, explores the world and its complex ecological systems. The School seeks to understand those processes which shape our oceans by understanding a much broader set of intellectual horizons. The School attracts a rich variety of individuals, yet builds a close community of students and faculty. Our research and education opportunities will attract theoreticians, problem solvers, computer specialists, field enthusiasts, and those with a passion for learning.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Laboratory Manager to oversee the operations of Dr. Anitra Ingalls' organic geochemistry lab. Current projects focus on studies of the global carbon cycle and the use of marine and terrestrial biomarker distributions and radiocarbon ages to better understand the cycling of organic matter through these reservoirs in the present and past.

Responsibilities include maintaining the laboratory's complex analytical equipment; organizing and participating in fieldwork programs; assisting students and post docs with laboratory equipment and data analysis; performing sample analysis according to established methods as well as developing new methods as needed; performing data reduction; and interpreting and contributing to manuscript preparation. Instruct students and visitors on the proper use of the analytical equipment according to the laboratory procedures and safety requirements. Gather and organize data generated in the lab into spreadsheets and charts in a consistent and precise manner for use by the faculty member, postdoctoral researchers and the person in this position. Working independently with little oversight, plan and coordinate complex research cruises coordinating with the faculty member, multiple postdoctoral researchers and participants from other universities/organizations.  Maintain, order and organize laboratory supplies, materials and equipment.

The lab houses an ion trap LC-MS outfitted with a fraction collector for compound purification and a vacuum line for preparation of CO2 for radiocarbon dating individual organic compounds. GC and GC-MS as well as a state of the art mass spectrometry lab are located nearby.   

For more information, please contact Dr. Anitra Ingalls aingalls@u.washington.edu. 

This position provides a unique opportunity to work with the UW School of Oceanography, a national leader in oceanographic research and education of graduate and undergraduate students.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, oceanography or related science with 1 to 3 years of experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

Master’s degree in chemistry, biology or oceanography is preferred with 1 to 3 years of experience.  Experience with LC-MS.

Condition of Employment: Ability to obtain valid U.S. drivers license and passport for travel and field work.

A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification may be required prior to hire.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, benefits website.

Application Process:

Part of the application process for this position includes completing an on-line cover letter assessment* as well as the Employment Eligibility Assessment to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  The assessment(s) will appear on your screen for you to complete as soon as you select "Apply to this Position" on this job announcement. Once you begin the assessment, it must be completed at that time. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until the assessment is complete.

*In the cover letter assessment, please:

include a statement of research interests, expertise and availability

provide three references complete with contact information (name, title, phone, email).

The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 / 206.543.6452 (tty) or dso@u.washington.edu.