SODCO Chemistry Technician

Job Title

SODCO Chemistry Technician

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Scientific Ocean Drilling

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment  

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our  core   values   which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

Who We Are

The Division of Research is committed to a truly comprehensive university where students, researchers, and inventors bring scholarship and innovation to bear for the benefit of the community, the state, and the nation. Texas A&M’s research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental, and applied contributions resulting, in many cases, in economic benefits to the state, nation and world.  

What We Want

The Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordinating Office (SODCO) Chemistry Technician will carry out duties related to the maintenance, oversight, and mobilization of chemistry and microbiology instrumentation for Mission Specific Platforms (MSP). This includes that the laboratory containers and chemical analytical equipment for MSPs are maintained, repaired, and readied for seagoing cruises; assists with ordering and receiving supplies and maintaining a supply inventory; assisting in mobilization and demobilization efforts; and sailing as Chemistry Marine Technician to assist with the operation of instrumentation at sea. Typical instrumentation will include gas chromatographs, ion chromatographs, and alkalinity and chlorinity titrators.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.  

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Four years of relevant professional experience in working with chemical analytical equipment. An advanced degree will reduce experience requirements: two years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree or the completion of a PhD.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Obtain and hold a passport and appropriate travel visas on a continuing basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently, multitask, and to lead a team.

• Must be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively, demonstrating excellent teamwork, leadership, and displaying a service-oriented attitude in all interactions.

• Ensures strong team approach to service deliverables through routine team building, training, and interactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Chemistry, or relevant field.

• Working operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities, including operation and maintenance of instrumentation related to measuring geologic core physical properties, geochemistry, microbiologic sample handling, and microscopy.

• Experience with logistics.

• Experience in design, construction, and/or installation of scientific equipment.

• Experience with scientific ocean drilling and working in shipboard laboratories.

Responsibilities

• SODCO Chemistry Lab Support - Responsible for providing technical and analytical support for chemistry and microbiological equipment for MSPs. Will provide technical support at sea as a Marine Technician, training scientists, overseeing lab safety requirements, and assisting with measurements. Ensure that scientists are following proper safety measurement protocols. Between expeditions, ensure chemistry and microbiology containers and their infrastructure and installed support equipment are maintained, repaired, and readied for the next expedition. Maintain accurate documentation on all chemistry and microbiological equipment. Work with the SODCO expedition project team and GCR management to ensure analytical requirements and related equipment and supplies are defined and ready for shipping deadlines.

• SODCO Mobilization and Logistical Support - Responsible for assisting in SODCO mobilization and demobilization activities and specifically overseeing these tasks for chemistry and microbiology equipment. Includes mobilization of instrumentation from the GCR to containers and then demobilized at the end of the expedition.

• SODCO General Lab Support - Assist with other SODCO laboratory equipment maintenance under the direction of the Technical Support Supervisor. Participate in SODCO projects related to instrument and software development/enhancement.

• Supply Management - Responsible for overseeing lab-specific supplies for each expedition and assist in maintaining a property database of the laboratory instruments and equipment, including their location. Assist with supply ordering and receiving.

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Physical Requirements

• While at sea, the position requires physical tolerance to maintaining balance on a moving ship; working under confined condition in a 24/7 work place with 12-h shifts; exposure to low-mid level noise and vibration, potential allergens and occasional odors; fine motor skills as well as strenuous physical activity including moving, lifting and carrying objects of medium to heavy weight using proper lifting techniques; reaching and bending, commonly in extreme environments.

Other Requirements and Factors

• This position is required to sail, which will require passing a routine medical exam (typically every two years).

• This position is security sensitive.

• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.

• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.

• This position allows alternate work location per TAMU guidelines.

• This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Why Texas A&M University?    

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.   

• Medical,  prescription drug,  dental,  vision,  life and AD&D,  flexible spending accounts , and long-term disability insurance  with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums  

• 12-15 days  of annual paid holidays   

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation  each month  

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time   

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more   

• Educational release time and tuition assistance  for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee  

• Living Well,  a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.