Career Center

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is searching for a full-time Lab Manager to operate and manage an ICP-MS lab equipped with iCAP TQ ICP-MS, Neoma MC-ICP-MS, ESL NWR193 excimer laser ablation system, and associated clean lab.

Position summary: The Lab Manager will provide full time technical and managerial support for daily operations of the UTK ICP-MS facility and its associated laboratories and ensure that the lab is productive and generates high quality analytical data to internal and external users.

Major job responsibilities involve: 1) managing and supporting multiple ICP-MS-based projects, including sample and standard preparation through instrumental analysis, data processing, and data quality control; 2) training and supervising students, postdocs, and researchers on instrument use; 3) maintaining instruments and labs; 4) offering guidance and advice on research and method development and adoption; 5) tracking fiscal matters.

For full consideration, applicants should also submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience along with a resume and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional referees. Please contact Anna Szynkiewicz (aszynkie@utk.edu) with additional questions.

The review of applications will begin on Jan 8th, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

Minimum requirements: 1) PhD in geochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline; 2) Three years of experience in ICP-MS lab and wet chemistry lab; 3) Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legally-required licenses/certifications/registrations.

Desired qualifications: 1) Knowledge of ICP-MS instruments, laser ablation system, and desolvating nebulizers; 2) Ability to troubleshoot and solve equipment and analytical problems arising in the laboratory; 3) Knowledge of clean lab chemistry procedures, especially chemical purification techniques to separate elements for isotope analyses; 4) Knowledge of lab safety and hazardous waste disposal and being able to serve on committees related to facilities operation; 5) Knowledge of computers, operating systems, and associated software applications; 6) Ability to train faculty, students, and outside users to operate ICP-MS instruments (both Neoma and iCAP) and their associated equipment (laser ablation system, and disolvating nebulizers); 7) The candidate must also have a demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.