Posting Detail Information

Working TitleEPMA Laboratory Manager

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional PositionYes

Posting Number202401450AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleResearch Associate IV

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$80,000-85,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on09/15/2024

Description of Work Unit

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

Geosciences is an academic and research department in the Warner College of Natural Resources ( WCNR ). The department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees and currently has 18 faculty, and approximately 90 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate students. In keeping with the mission of a Land Grant University, the program is known for strengths in applied and field-based research, commitment to teaching, outreach to solve resource management, engagement with environmental and other societal issues, and basic research programs spanning sedimentology/stratigraphy, petrology, geochemistry, tectonics, hydrogeology, geomorphology, Earth surface processes, petroleum geology, economic geology, seismology, geophysics, volcanology, and geodynamics. The department engages in widespread interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Position Summary

The position is within the Department of Geosciences and primary supervision will be from the Geosciences Department Head.

The Research Associate IV will be primarily responsible for the operations of the EPMA Laboratory. They will work with users, including Geosciences and other CSU faculty, to ensure that instrumentation and support services are in optimal working condition and otherwise meet the needs of the user community, including maintenance and calibration, troubleshooting hardware, software, and computer issues, electronic and mechanical repairs, installing and testing detectors sources, designing detection and analysis protocols, coordinating with manufacturers for site or remote service visits. The position will facilitate and assist internal and external users for training and innovative applications. The position may incorporate independent and collaborative research depending on the applicant’s interests. The candidate must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in addition to technical and analytical experience. The Research Associate will represent the department and college in partnerships with other laboratories and users across CSU and externally.

Required Job Qualifications

• MS degree plus at least 5 years of experience or PhD in geoscience, analytical chemistry, physics, or a related field.

• 2 years of experience in the operation and maintenance of modern instruments for quantitative EPMA analysis.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience with the operation and maintenance of other geological and related instrumentation, including elemental analyzers, isotope ratio mass spectrometers coupled to multiple peripheral systems (such as elemental analyzer, trace gas concentrator, gas chromatograph), plasma source ICP -MS systems (such as quadrupole, high-resolution, or multi-collector systems, scanning electron microscopes, and X-ray diffraction.

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary shared research/contract laboratory.

• Experience supervising student employees.

• Experience training users of above instrumentation.

• Experience with instrumentation and operations within environmental, ecological, and/or geological academic, government, or industry units.

• Record of scholarly research and collaboration in ecological and/or geological sciences.

• Familiarity with common analytical and business/communications software (e.g., MSWord, Excel, MATLAB , Adobe products, Python) and platforms.

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryRegulatory Compliance

Duty/Responsibility

• Ensure all laboratory and instrument operations are in full compliance with applicable university, state, local, and federal regulations and policies.

Percentage Of Time5

Job Duty CategoryInstrument/Accounting Logistics

Duty/Responsibility

• Maintain adequate stocks of all lab/instrument consumables, preliminary invoice preparation, budgetary coordination of laboratory operations with university accounting staff.

Percentage Of Time5

Job Duty CategoryLaboratory management, sample analysis and instrumentation oversight

Duty/Responsibility

• Primary sample analysis roles for microanalyses of geological samples and maintenance of instrumentation operational capabilities and standardization.

• Prioritize sample preparation and analysis based on perishability, equipment and personnel availability, and deadlines. Prepare samples for analysis.

• Perform/supervise requested analyses, including standardization of required elements, performing wavescans and designing custom analytical protocols for novel materials, and advancing techniques for better precision and accuracy of EPMA analyses (e.g., EDS - WDS integration, high-precision trace element analysis, development of geochronology applications, control of interferences, etc.).

• Perform needed calculations, create result summaries, and generate reports. Collegial and collaborative training, facilitation and other support interactions with faculty, students, and other facility users. Research and pursue new laboratory opportunities, make expenditure and advancement recommendations, and participate in expenditure processes. Contribute to or lead curriculum in electron microbeam theory and applications. Contribute to the promotion and wide community uses of the laboratory

Percentage Of Time60

Job Duty CategorySupervision and Training

Duty/Responsibility

• Supervise student hourly employees in diverse tasks associated with the operations above.

• Train employees to perform or assist with required tasks.

• Allocate personnel to meet analysis and other deadlines.

• Supervise student hourlies, graduate students, Research Associates and post docs in the operation and applications of the laboratory.

• Train and assist faculty, student, and external users in instrument use.

Percentage Of Time30

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than September 15th, 11:59pm (MT) for full consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.

Upload each of the items below individually as a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please remove social security numbers and birthdates from application materials. A complete application consists of:

• Statement of Qualifications (one- to two-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the ‘Cover Letter’ slot.

• CV

• References – please include within your application contact information for 2 professional references including at least one supervisor (either present or from a previous recent employment). References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

  CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactJohn Singleton: john.singleton@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested2

Maximum Requested2

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents