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Laboratory and Facility Lead


Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences - Department of Renewable Resources

Competition No.  -   S108219280
Posting Date  -   Dec 14, 2012
Closing Date  -   Jan 07, 2013
 
Position Type  -   Full Time - Grant Funded
Salary Range  -   $4,947 to $6,894 per month
Grade  -   11
Hours  -   35
This position has an end date of three years from the date of hire and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: www.hrs.ualberta.ca.
The Department of Renewable Resources requires an analytical research chemist to manage a newly created ultra clean-laboratory and mass spectrometry facility (the SWAMP lab), to develop novel analytical approaches for the chemical analysis of trace metals in soil, water, air, manures, and plants, to develop and validate new measurement protocols, and to enhance and complement the Department’s existing strength in environmental analytical chemistry. The successful candidate will report to Professor William Shotyk, Bocock Chair for Agriculture and the Environment.  The appointment is for a 3-year term from the date of hire, in a senior technical support role.
Duties
  • Daily operation, oversight and supervision of both the clean laboratory complex and a suite of new advanced instrumentation ranging from sector-field ICP mass spectrometry and quadrupole ICP mass spectrometry to flow-field-flow fractionation (FFFF) methods for colloid separation and characterization
  • Responsible for the implementation of new technology together with continued development of analytical protocols in areas such as, but not limited to, ultra-low level analysis of trace metals and Pb isotopes in a wide variety of Earth materials including many types of natural waters
  • Is involved in multi-disciplinary science projects
  • Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the instruments, safety issues in the laboratory, the administration of the facilities, ensuring the continued running and performance of the instrumentation, the supervision of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, together with the scheduling, budgeting and costing of services
  • Assists with grant proposal writing and carries out research projects regarding analytical methods, presenting the work at international conferences and through publication in relevant journals
Qualifications
  • A Master's degree or greater in geochemistry, soil chemistry, aquatic chemistry or analytical chemistry is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
  • Strong track record running a modern trace element and/or isotope geochemistry laboratory facility
  • Extensive hands-on experience in a relevant field, preferably in trace metal and Pb isotope analyses at ultralow concentrations
  • Experience in the operation, problem diagnosis and maintenance of SF-ICP-MS is essential, and of FFFF instrumentation is desirable
  • Extensive experience with sample preparation and measurement techniques for trace metals and radiogenic isotopes in a variety of Earth materials (soils, waters, plants)
  • Experience in the design and operation of ultra-low level geochemical clean laboratories is essential
  • Experience in developing and establishing new chemistry and instrumental techniques for the analysis of pg/l to fg/l levels of elemental analyses is essential
  • Demonstrated success in research grant writing and publication in leading scientific journals is necessary
  • Basic board-level electronic diagnostic and maintenance skills are an asset
  • Demonstrated interest in state-of-the-art analysis, physical fractionation, and chemical speciation of trace elements
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills are needed, with proven ability to work as a key part of an interdisciplinary team, capable of interacting with researchers from numerous fields
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
A complete application will include a concise statement of research interests and experience, background and qualifications, CV, list of publications, and names of three references who may be contacted to provide supporting letters. 

How to Apply

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
The University of Alberta hires on the basis of merit. We are committed to the principle of equity in employment. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all qualified women and men, including persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and Aboriginal persons.