Department: |
Earth and Environmental Sciences |
Effective Date: |
October, 2009 |
Grade: |
USG 6
37.5 hr/wk
|
Reports to: |
EIL Lab Manager |
General Accountability
Under the supervision of the EIL lab manager, the incumbent is responsible for the preparation of organic and inorganic samples for chlorine-37 and bromine-81 isotope analysis, operating and maintaining the Chlorine/Bromine IsoPrime Dual Inlet/Continuous Flow Mass Spectrometer and the attached HP 6890 Gas Chromatographic system.
Nature and Scope
The Environmental Isotope Laboratory (EIL) operates on a fee for service basis analyzing samples for the content of various isotopes for both University and external researchers. The EIL charges for these analyses to cover chemicals, equipment and salary costs related to the analyses, therefore there is a job available as long as there are samples to analyze. The incumbent will be an integral part of the team to provide sample analyses results in a timely manner to clients from around the world.
Statistical Data
Analyses
|
1,050($232,000) |
Clients |
20 |
Students |
4 |
Casual Employees |
3 |
Specific Accountabilities
- Operation and maintenance of the IsoPrime-Cl/Br-GC-DI/CF-IRMS for analysis of chlorine, and bromine isotopic analysis of solid, liquid and gaseous sample material through DI- and CF-IRMS. He/she will be directly responsible for:
- The correction and reporting of results to the lab office as well as directly to clients when possible.
- Answering questions and providing aid to clients, graduate students and co-workers using the above systems for analytical research.
- Supervising and teaching analytical techniques to graduate and undergraduate students.
- Assigns work to casual employees and students within the Cl/Br area.
- The incumbent will produce and follow a documented Technical Procedure for each method developed.
- As a technician in the Isotope lab, it is necessary to have an operating knowledge of both Continuous Flow (CF) and Dual Inlet (DI) Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) systems and to provide general repairs, routine maintenance and advice to students, fellow technicians and visiting scientists on this equipment. A working knowledge of MassLynx, OS2 Warp, MS Word, MS Excel, and general PC use as well as other analytical techniques is required.
- Developing an analytical technique for analyzing Bromine stable isotopes.
- It is the technician's responsibility for housekeeping in the work area and proper removal of all chemical wastes involved in the above procedures while observing all University safety standards.
Working Conditions
- The incumbent is required to work in a lab environment which is at times cool due to equipment requirements or hot due to sample analysis procedures and noisy.
- Manual dexterity and strength are required to handle samples (open/close bottle closures), syringes, and small vials and vial cap sealers.
- Must be able to stand for long periods while performing routine sample preparation
- Attention to details while dealing with large quantities of samples and results
- Safety issues – working with sharp needles and glass, requires the use of gloves and ability to work with an open flame, handling poisonous materials
- Cleanliness - washing of glassware, must keep work areas free from contaminants