Job Information
Texas A&M University GCR Senior Technician in United States
Job Title
GCR Senior Technician
Agency
Texas A&M University
Department
International Ocean Discovery Program
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 International Ocean Discovery Program (https://iodp.tamu.edu/index.html) (IODP) facilitates global research collaboration studying Earth’s history as recorded in ocean floor sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. With numerous seagoing expeditions aboard the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution (JR), and on behalf of the National Science Foundation (NSF), researchers have gathered core samples from around the world. Following the demobilization of the JR this past summer, Texas A&M University was tasked by the NSF with setting up an instrumented Gulf Coast Repository (GCR), utilizing instrumentation removed from the JR. The GCR laboratories are expected to be operational by Spring 2025, offering curatorial services and advanced capabilities to describe and analyze both legacy and future core samples.
What We Want
We are seeking a GCR Senior Technician to manage Gulf Coast Repository Analytical Services activities, including instrumentation operation and maintenance, and acting as a laboratory foreman directing technical staff in the processing of core/samples in the GCR analytical facilities. The role involves maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies, ordering resupply, and participating in projects related to the development and enhancement of analytical instruments, techniques, and software. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently and as part of a team, multitask, and lead a team. The candidate should demonstrate excellent teamwork, leadership, and a service-oriented attitude in all interactions, ensuring a strong team approach to service deliverables through routine team building, training, and interactions. They should have experience in projects related to instrumentation development/enhancement and software, scientific ocean drilling, and splitting geologic cores. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.
What You Need To Know
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 in Earth Science or a relevant field or equivalent combined experience and training .
Ten years of relevant professional experience in working with scientific analytical equipment.
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 both independently and on a team, to multitask and to lead a team.
Must be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with varied groups, 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 Education and Experience
Working operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities.
Knowledge and experience working with tools (i.e. good mechanical and/or electronics skills), databases, scientific software and/or computer-aided design.
Experience in working on projects related to instrumentation development/enhancement and software. Experience with scientific ocean drilling and splitting geologic cores.
Background in geological sciences or oceanography.
Responsibilities
GCR ANALYTICAL SERVICES - Acts as a laboratory foreman, ensuring cores and samples are efficiently processed in the GCR analytical instrument service center, directing resources and technician duties as necessary to complete scheduled work. Assists in establishing and enforcing safe laboratory procedures for all staff and visitors working in the lab. Assist in maintaining accurate documentation on all instruments, both from the vendors and produced in-house documentation. Runs GCR instrumentation when appropriate technical staff are unavailable. Work on projects related to instrument and software development/enhancement. Collaborates with GCR Supervisor of Analytical Services, curation staff and staff scientists on planning and implementation of large projects utilizing GCR instrumentation and the GCR’s core collection, including legacy projects and workshops, along with SODCO or any coring/drilling projects that want to utilize GCR analytical facilities. Assist in reviewing laboratory requirements for all GCR projects and ensuring appropriate supplies are available to meet these needs. Assists in providing proper QA/QC of data generated by GCR instrumentation and transfer of generated data to facility users with support from the Senior Data Analyst as required.
ADMINISTRATION- Supervision: Directs GCR technical staff on core/sample processing in GCR analytical facilities. Provides technician performance feedback to GCR Supervisor of Analytical Services for annual employee performance evaluations. Financial management: Assists in preparation of budgets, program plans, spending plans forecasts, and cost documentation. Assists with planning laboratory supply and service call costs. Policies: Understands, complies, and administers all pertinent TAMU, TAMRF/TAMUS, state and federal policies.
SUPPLY MANAGEMENT- Responsible for ordering lab supplies, inventory control and receiving incoming supply shipments. Assist in maintaining a property database of the laboratory instruments and equipment, including location.
TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT- Provide training and oversight for visiting scientists using instrumentation. Trains new technical staff and assists in cross training of staff across various analytical equipment. Ensure visiting scientists and GCR staff receive safe laboratory safety training and follow safe laboratory practices. Provide cross training to other GCR technical staff.
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.
Health (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/medical/) , dental (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/dental/) , vision (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/vision-insurance/) , life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/life-add/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays
Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation each (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) month
Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)
Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
Employee Tuition Assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance/) and Educational Release time (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/educational.html) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.
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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.