Cosmogenic Isotope Laboratory Manager

  • Stanford University
  • Stanford, California
  • Full Time

This position has been deemed critical by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Deans Office and is exempt from the hiring pause .

This position is based on Stanfords main campus. Telecommuting is not available for this role. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a community with the richness of experience and background needed to create solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here .

The Stanford Cosmogenic Isotope shared laboratory within Stanford Universitys Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) is seeking an experienced lab manager to join our team. Research facilitated by the lab includes dating based upon production and decay of cosmogenic nuclides to constrain the timing of surface exposure, burial, and climate/environmental change. The staff scientist will oversee the daily operation of the facility, including training and facilitating the needs of its users, including the separation and purification of quartz, cosmogenic nuclide extraction, and accelerator mass spectrometry target preparation. Oversight by the staff scientist is vital to ensure proper lab operation and high-quality sample preparation. The laboratory has over 850 square feet of clean lab space and is part of a network of shared facilities supported by SDSS. This person will also act as the designated point of contact for hydrofluoric acid use in SDSS shared labs.

Your Responsibilities will include:

  • Assume core responsibility of managing the separation and purification of quartz from rocks and sediments and subsequent extraction of cosmogenic nuclides for measurement by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS):
    • Coordinate and schedule daily laboratory operations, perform instrument calibration and maintenance, purchase consumables, maintain clean laboratory conditions, and schedule waste disposal.
    • Develop standard operating procedures for lab tasks and establish requirements for data quality control and assurance (QA/QC).
    • Train and supervise laboratory users in health and safety protocols, including safe use of hydrofluoric acid and other reagents in the Cosmo, Ecosystems, and SIGMA labs.
    • Train and supervise laboratory users in the techniques and analytical approaches employed in sample preparation.
    • Instruct laboratory users in AMS data analysis, including error propagation.
  • Collaborate with lab users, facilities staff, EH&S representatives and other facility lab managers as required.
  • Maintain compliance with university, county, state and federal health and safety requirements.

* - The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this position, you will need:

  • Bachelors degree in discipline such as, Earth Science, Analytical Chemistry, or a related and two years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Working understanding of academic research laboratory needs.
  • Demonstrated experience managing budgets.
  • Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects in a complex and technical environment.
  • General background in a discipline related to the work of a Cosmogenic Isotope lab.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.
  • Knowledge and experience in managing facilities, operations, maintenance, space, and equipment administration in a research or teaching setting.
  • Excellent communication and customer service skills.
  • Familiarity with health and safety compliance regulations.

In addition, our preferred qualifications include:

  • Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related field.
  • Educational background in a discipline that employs cosmogenic-nuclide methodologies. Relevant laboratory experience in:
    • processing Earth Materials to extract, concentrate, and purify minerals.
    • use of HF and other acids to dissolve minerals.
    • ion exchange chromatography and/or other forms of analytical chemistry.
    • demonstrated knowledge and experience in the safe handling of concentrated acids including appropriate personal protection equipment to minimize exposure to hazards.
  • Experience/knowledge in the following areas:
    • Completed laboratory coursework involving mineralogy and geochemistry including a demonstrated ability to identify minerals in rocks and disaggregated samples.
    • Physical and chemical processing of quartz-bearing samples to produce purified extracts of beryllium and aluminum for cosmogenic nuclide measurements.
    • The preparation and calibration of standard solutions for ICP-MS and ICP-OES analysis.
    • Knowledge of geomorphology and/or soil science.
    • Knowledge regarding the formation and decay processes of cosmogenic nuclides.

Physical Requirements*:

  • Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing over 50 pounds.
  • Performing repetitive tasks such as climbing, scrubbing, sweeping, mopping, chopping and mixing or operation of hand and foot controls.
  • Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces for up to 8 hours.
  • Must have correctable vision to perform duties of the job.
  • Ability to work in a dusty and odorous environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • May be exposed to high voltage electricity, radiation or electromagnetic fields, lasers, noise > 80dB TWA, Allergens/Biohazards/Chemicals /Asbestos, confined spaces, working at heights up to 10 feet, temperature extremes, heavy metals, unusual work hours or routine overtime and/or inclement weather.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

The expected pay range for this position is $92,587 to $105,351 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( ) provides detailed information on Stanfords extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the Apply for Job button.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form .

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Job Code: 4946
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Grade: H
  • Requisition ID: 107036
  • Work Arrangement : On Site
Job ID: 488697392
Originally Posted on: 8/8/2025

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