Lab Technician - Molecular Analysis Core Facility (39190)

The NIU Molecular Analysis Core is the primary core facility and recharge center that supports the research efforts of NIU faculty and students as well as external academic users and users from industry.

The NIU-MAC currently houses five state-of-the-art mass spectrometers - a triple quadrupole LCMS, a QTOF HRMS, a MALDI ToF/ToF, an ICP-MS and a triple quadrupole GCMS as well as optical spectroscopy instruments. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience with LCMS and MALDI methods and experience with bioanalytical applications.

Position Summary

Lab Technician for the NIU Molecular Analysis Core facility, Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships. The Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships seeks an individual with a strong background in the area of analytical chemistry, specifically mass spectrometry and chromatography, to manage the day-to-day operations of the NIU Molecular Analysis Core (MAC) facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operation of Instruments & Peripherals - 25%

• Independently, effectively and efficiently operates the QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments and all of their associated peripherals, computers, and software.
• Performs troubleshooting of IRMS, GC-MS and IC instruments and their peripherals, and when problems occur, collaborates with Department, College and University technical staff and the vendor (Shimadzu Scientific Instruments or Bruker Daltonics) technical support team to develop and implement solutions in the most appropriate, cost-effective, and expeditious means.
• Maintains inventory of high-quality consumable and other supplies needed to ensure reliable, ongoing operation of the QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments; collaborates with stockroom staff to order supplies as needed.

Maintenance & Data Quality Control of Instruments - 20%

• Performs day-to-day maintenance on the QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments and their associated peripheral devices and computers to ensure their reliable operation.
• Identifies, diagnoses and repairs equipment malfunctions when feasible.
• Communicates with instrument manufacturers to arrange for instrument troubleshooting, maintenance and repairs that cannot be completed by Department, College or University technical staff.

Conduct Collaborative or Independent Scientific Research - 15%

• Collaborates with faculty, staff, students and professional colleagues to create and pursue significant scientific research that is publishable and capable of attracting external funding.
• Maintains membership in professional societies that are related to research in mass spectrometry (ASMS, ABRF etc.) and utilizes their resources for keeping up to date on the latest skills and experimental methods.

Develop & Implement Innovative & Modern Protocols for Analysis - 15%

• Designs and experiments with new sample preparation and introduction techniques to ensure the MAC facility's QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments and peripherals are operating at the forefront of the science.
• Develops, maintains and revises all protocols and standard operating procedures for the QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments and their associated peripherals, computers and software for data collection and analysis.
• Collaborates with the MAC facility Director to evaluate the need for equipment upgrades necessary to keep the MAC facility operating at the forefront of science.
• Collaborates with the MAC facility director to develop plans for acquisition of additional or upgraded equipment; Implements plans as needed, including participating in the writing and submitting proposals for external funding from sources such as the National Science Foundation.
• Collaborates with MAC facility Director to consult with users on experiment approach and design to ensure high quality, impactful and publishable data collection.

Instruction & Scheduling of Users - 15%

• Instructs all QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS users in the proper protocols and standard operating procedures employed in the MAC facility; These users will include faculty, postdoctoral research associates, graduate students, undergraduate students and visiting scientists.
• Schedules time for researchers to access and use instruments in a manner that is efficient, fair, and commensurate with the expertise of the researcher.
• Maintains an accurate record of instrument usage.
• Maintains an accurate record of QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS users.
• Maintains user keycard access to the facility.
• Assists researchers in understanding and interpreting data produced through QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS analyses; helps novice users recognize inconsistent or unreliable data, as well as issues such as biases, errors, analytical precision and reproducibility.
• Enforces safety regulations; Ensures that all university regulations and state and federal law are enforced at all times.
• Maintains Clustermarket (online reservation and user management software), the MAC facility Sharepoint online educational resource site and the ABRF Core Marketplace online site that promotes the MAC facility to the greater scientific community.

Maintain Sample Preparation Facilities & Conduct Sample Preparation - 10%

• Maintains and operates facilities and instruments that are involved in the preparation of samples for analysis by the QTOF-HRMS, LCMS-QqQ, MALDI TOF/TOF, GCMS, and ICPMS instruments.
• Performs troubleshooting and repair of equipment involved in sample preparation.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

N/A

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or closely related field is required.
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong background in analytical chemistry, specifically in mass spectrometry research, through graduate training and a record of peer reviewed publications.

Additional Requirements (SPS)

None

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

• Experience with modern gas and liquid chromatography methods is preferred.
• Experience with biological/biomedical applications of mass spectrometry is preferred.

Physical demands/requirements

• General office requirements.