This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/6642427

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rResearch Associate or Research Scientist

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rLocation: Schl of Earth Sci & Env Sust

rRegular/Temporary: Regular

rJob ID: 608031

rFull/Part Time: Full-Time

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r Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation\'s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

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Special Information

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Job Description

NAU\'s School of Earth and Sustainability is seeking a Research Associate OR Research Scientist to join their dynamic team. The researcher oversees the daily operations of the amino acid geochronology lab (AAGL) and the Sedimentary Records of Environmental Change Lab, which are co-located in SLF-226 and are shared by the paleoclimate research group in SES. The position is funded 100% through grants and contracts. The primary duties of the researcher include training graduate and undergraduate students in a variety of laboratory procedures, while assuring high-quality data and a safe working environment. The researcher, with the assistance of student helpers, analyzes samples for amino acid geochronology, prepares samples for radiocarbon analyses through the ACE Isotope Lab and measures a variety of biophysical properties of sediment, mainly from lake sediment cores. These analyses are part of externally sponsored research into environmental and climate change, and geologic hazards over a range of historical and prehistorical timescales. The position can be filled at the level of either an MS-level Research Associate or a PhD-level Research Scientist. The latter includes a greater role in developing, conducting and reporting scientific research.

Applications will be considered as they are received. For additional information, reach out to Dr. Darrell Kaufman at Darrell.Kaufman@nau.edu.

Research Associate:

Research - 10%

• Participate in lab group meetings.
• Help prepare research proposals.
• Assist in designing experiments and analyzing data.
• Co-author papers for publication and abstracts for presentations.

Amino Acid Analysis - 20%

• Analyze a variety of organic materials for their amino acid (enantiomeric) composition.
• Maintain two high-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC) and ancillary equipment (pH meter, water purifier, high-precision ovens, Chem-station software).
• Prepare samples and standards for analysis by HPLC.
• Judge the quality of the results and adjust procedures to optimize performance.

Radiocarbon Preparation - 20%

• Prepare various organic materials for radiocarbon analysis.
• Concentrate and pick microfossils and other organic remains from sediments.
• Use various wet-chemistry (acid-base) protocols to remove contaminants.
• Describe and photograph samples.
• Load materials into capsules for radiocarbon and elemental analyses in the ACE Isotope Lab.
• Tailor procedures to special needs of individual samples.

Sediment Analysis - 15%

• Ana yze a variety of sediment types for their particle-size distribution (Coulter laser diffraction), biogenic silica (spectrophotometer wet chemistry), organic matter (loss on ignition) and magnetic susceptibility (Bartington).
• Maintain the analyzers and ancillary equipment for these analyses including: microbalance, vacuum pump, laminar hoods, furnace, freeze drier, sieves, walk-in cooler, computers.

Training & Supervision - 10%

• Train undergraduate and graduate students and visiting researchers from partner organizations in laboratory procedures.
• Oversee their work to assure high-quality results.
• Supervise laboratory helpers to optimize the throughput of samples and maximize output of high-quality data.
• Maintain up-to-date instructions (protocols) for all laboratory procedures.

Data Management - 10%

• Tabulate and summarize data.
• Report results.
• Track values for standards and blanks.
• Curate and maintain backup copies of all data and metadata according to best data-management practices.

Operations and Safety - 10%

Maintain clean, orderly and uncluttered space.

Order and keep stock of laboratory supplies, chemicals and spare maintenance items.\<