Isotope Research Chemist
The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
IF YOU ARE NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Isotope Research Chemist
The Laboratory for Isotopes and Metals in the Environment (LIME), part of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park campus), seeks an Isotope Research Chemist. LIME is a shared user facility that serves researchers from a range of disciplines at Penn State and other academic institutions, as well as industry and governmental organizations. LIME maintains a Thermo Scientific Triton Plus TIMS and a Nu Instruments Sapphire MC‑ICP‑MS, as well as a metal‑free clean laboratory.
This position is a non‑tenure line research faculty position and is offered as a term appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with an excellent possibility of renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Candidates will be considered for a research faculty rank commensurate with their education and experience in accordance with AC21. If hired, qualified candidates could have opportunities for promotion and advancement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operate LIME instrumentation (specifically the MC‑ICP‑MS and TIMS).
Set and maintain standards for data quality and control for those instruments.
Evaluate methodological development in LIME, including establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and data quality standards.
Maintain both instruments in working order, including hands‑on maintenance of mass spectrometers and related peripherals and support equipment (e.g., chillers), and interface with manufacturer technicians to resolve problems and during service visits.
Train, oversee training, and/or supervise student users and part‑time employees in the use of the clean lab and instrumentation.
Participate in education of students with respect to sample preparation, analyses, and quality control.
Communicate with potential clients and users, including the development of agreements with clients outside of Penn State to conduct isotopic analyses.
Collaborate with external clients, including preparing samples and conducting analyses.
Manage billing for work completed within LIME.
Communicate and interact with the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) to maintain the clean laboratory and its systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate must hold an M.S. or terminal degree in geochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline by appointment start date, and at least one year of relevant experience in routine operation and general maintenance of mass spectrometers. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. The preferred candidate will have experience working with scientific instrumentation (preferably similar to current LIME instruments) and must possess good organizational skills and the ability to support faculty and students. The preferred candidate will also possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and good working knowledge of the laboratory setting, as well as general computer skills. The candidate must be able and willing to multi‑task, follow standard operating procedures, and follow quality assurance/quality control protocols. An exceptional candidate would have the ability to write proposals to external agencies to garner funding, give talks about LIME instrumentation and capabilities, and/or assist with expanding LIME's clientele.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested candidates should submit the following:
A cover letter that clearly describes experiences relevant to the position.
A curriculum vitae including educational background, employment history, publication list, research projects contributed to, and the role played in the projects.
Contact information for three professional references.
Questions about the position can be directed to LIME Directors Kimberly Lau (kvlau@psu.edu) and Matthew Fantle (mfantle@psu.edu).
Ideal start date: April 1, 2026 (negotiable).
BACKGROUND CHECKS / CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
IF YOU ARE NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Isotope Research Chemist
The Laboratory for Isotopes and Metals in the Environment (LIME), part of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park campus), seeks an Isotope Research Chemist. LIME is a shared user facility that serves researchers from a range of disciplines at Penn State and other academic institutions, as well as industry and governmental organizations. LIME maintains a Thermo Scientific Triton Plus TIMS and a Nu Instruments Sapphire MC‑ICP‑MS, as well as a metal‑free clean laboratory.
This position is a non‑tenure line research faculty position and is offered as a term appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with an excellent possibility of renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and available funding. Candidates will be considered for a research faculty rank commensurate with their education and experience in accordance with AC21. If hired, qualified candidates could have opportunities for promotion and advancement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operate LIME instrumentation (specifically the MC‑ICP‑MS and TIMS).
Set and maintain standards for data quality and control for those instruments.
Evaluate methodological development in LIME, including establishing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and data quality standards.
Maintain both instruments in working order, including hands‑on maintenance of mass spectrometers and related peripherals and support equipment (e.g., chillers), and interface with manufacturer technicians to resolve problems and during service visits.
Train, oversee training, and/or supervise student users and part‑time employees in the use of the clean lab and instrumentation.
Participate in education of students with respect to sample preparation, analyses, and quality control.
Communicate with potential clients and users, including the development of agreements with clients outside of Penn State to conduct isotopic analyses.
Collaborate with external clients, including preparing samples and conducting analyses.
Manage billing for work completed within LIME.
Communicate and interact with the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) to maintain the clean laboratory and its systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate must hold an M.S. or terminal degree in geochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline by appointment start date, and at least one year of relevant experience in routine operation and general maintenance of mass spectrometers. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. The preferred candidate will have experience working with scientific instrumentation (preferably similar to current LIME instruments) and must possess good organizational skills and the ability to support faculty and students. The preferred candidate will also possess strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and good working knowledge of the laboratory setting, as well as general computer skills. The candidate must be able and willing to multi‑task, follow standard operating procedures, and follow quality assurance/quality control protocols. An exceptional candidate would have the ability to write proposals to external agencies to garner funding, give talks about LIME instrumentation and capabilities, and/or assist with expanding LIME's clientele.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested candidates should submit the following:
A cover letter that clearly describes experiences relevant to the position.
A curriculum vitae including educational background, employment history, publication list, research projects contributed to, and the role played in the projects.
Contact information for three professional references.
Questions about the position can be directed to LIME Directors Kimberly Lau (kvlau@psu.edu) and Matthew Fantle (mfantle@psu.edu).
Ideal start date: April 1, 2026 (negotiable).
BACKGROUND CHECKS / CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.
#J-18808-Ljbffr