Staff Associate II

The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University invites applications for a Staff Associate II (SAII) position. The SAII will manage the day-to-day operations and solve technical problems in the Chadwick Lab and Macedo Lab the Lamont campus. Assist graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to setup and perform laboratory experiments; be part of a team solving cutting-edge scientific problems.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Configure and set up laboratory equipment and experiments, including design, fabrication, and installation of laboratory equipment, instrument mounts, and instrumentation; plumbing and pump calibrations and reconfigurations.
• Set up data loggers, cameras, and other instrumentation. Work with variable frequency drivers and data acquisition software.
• Troubleshoot and repair scientific research instrumentation [AC1] [m2], electronic instruments, electromechanical equipment, and computers,
• Manage computer data storage and backup software. Update computing resources as needed. Maintain log books and other records.
• Assist graduate students in general wood/aluminum/metal shop work as needed for experiments, and use of instrumentation.
• Manage lab materials, sediment handling, crane operations, ordering and storing supplies and laboratory equipment.
• Maintain an organized and clean lab space, including periodic cleaning of trench drains, sump and other laboratory equipment.
• Approve timecards for summer undergraduate interns working in the lab.
  
  
• Purchase and monitor laboratory supplies. Track budget expenditures and collaborate with grants manager to spend funds appropriately in compliance with great and Institute policies.
• Serve as safety manager of the lab, including establish and update safe working practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs), work with and file accident reports to LDEO Safety Office and Columbia EH&S, train new workers in the lab on safety policies.
• Assist with laboratory tours.
• Analyze and process data in preparation of publication in scholarly journals.
• Will not serve as a supervisor of other employees. Will approve time records for student and casual employees assigned to the lab. Will assist various lab users in the set up and performance of laboratory experiments. At any given time, there may be 1-3 of these personnel working in the lab.
• Works independently with limited supervision from the PIs.
• Exercises independent judgement and initiative within set guidelines to solve technical challenges in the lab including managing design, fabrication, implementation, and instrumentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Bachelors or Technical degree in geology, environmental science, engineering and 2-4 years of related experience is required. Ability to work independently and with students and professors. Ability to incorporate a breadth of skills to tackle experimental-setup problems. Experience with laboratory or industrial electronic equipment and instrumentation. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Software. Ability to use a variety of custom built robotic, acoustic, and ultrasonic instrumentation. Ability to adapt, modify, and troubleshoot scientific equipment and instruments. Ability to adapt to new computers, software applications and procedures. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent analytical reasoning and problem solving skills. Ability to exercise mature judgement and initiative. Ability to lift, move or carry equipment up to 50lb. 2-4 years of related experience with environmental chemistry lab equipment (e.g. DOC, nutrient analyzer, GC).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience/training in basic wood/aluminum/metal fabrication, electrical, plumbing, 3D printing. Familiarity with Matlab or other laboratory data acquisition software, for example LabView. Experience writing, amending and programming software code. Experience with laboratory hydraulic or sediment transport flumes or wind tunnels. Training in earth sciences, civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will remain open until the position is filled.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1, contingent upon performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.