Position Function:

The Department of Chemistry at Mississippi State University is seeking a full-time 12-month Research Scientist who will serve as instrument manager for our Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy facility (Research Scientist).

Salary Grade: 15

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Department Profile:

Our Bulldog Department of Chemistry family of more than 120 dedicated and diverse personnel includes 30 faculty and staff, 90 students, and other associates hailing from more than 16 nations and 20+ states. We are a vibrant and multi-cultural leading academic unit in the College of Arts & Sciences.

In addition to serving the basic science and higher level chemistry curricula needs of nearly every major on campus including some 5000 non-majors, our department graduates an average of 18 Bachelor’s, 4 Master’s, and 10 Doctoral professionals in chemistry each year.
For more information on the Department of Chemistry, please visit www.chemistry.msstate.edu

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Broadly oversee day-to-day operations of the Department of Chemistry’s NMR facility. This includes the operation of Bruker NMR instrumentation and working with users to optimize NMR sample preparation.
2. Regularly calibrate and shim all NMR systems and monitor the facility’s automated backup system. Work with the NMR Facility director to address any problems.
3. Perform cryogen fills and regular preventative maintenance on the department’s helium recovery system.
4. Perform basic repairs and preventative maintenance on NMRs and other instruments as assigned. For more serious repairs, coordinate on-site visits with instrument repair technicians.
5. Maintain cleanliness of the NMR facility and other assigned instrumentation and monitor users to ensure that instruments are used and maintained correctly.
6. Receive samples sent to the facility from regional users and coordinate remote access through existing protocols. Alternatively, work with remote users to run samples.
7. Work with the NMR Facility Director to set facility priorities and policies.
8. Participate in regular career development and workshops (including potential conference travel) to stay current on NMR techniques and instrumentation.
9. Participate in the department’s instrumentation committee and safety committee. Identify possible instrumentation needs and safety concerns.
10. Support faculty research efforts in implementing new NMR experiments and participate in publications and/or grant writing activities, as appropriate.
11. Monitor instrument billing and maintain a positive, supportive environment for NMR users.
12. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related area. Applicants must possess the skills needed to organize and manage assigned duties.

Rank and Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Research Scientist I
Ph.D. degree with experience generally within three years after receiving Ph.D. level and with limited scientific research experience.
Research Scientist II
Ph.D. degree with three to seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. level and with very significant professional accomplishments.
Research Scientist III
Ph.D. degree with more than seven years of relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. and with extremely significant professional accomplishments.
Senior Research Scientist
Ph.D. degree. Individuals well beyond the Ph.D. that have demonstrated outstanding sustained, and extraordinary professional accomplishments as well as professional leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants with prior experience with using and managing NMR instrumentation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Has established scientific expertise; knows and effectively uses the fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures that field of specialization.
2. Ability to organize, interpret data, and derive study conclusions
3. Ability to advance state-of-the-art scientific research in field of specialization.
4. Ability to apply extensive and advanced principles, theories, and concepts.
5. Ability to contribute to the development of solutions to complex problems that require innovation and ingenuity. Project management skills
6. Excellent communication and presentation skills

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Occasional and/or light lifting required up to 10 pounds. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, etc.; none to the degree of being disagreeable. Frequent standing, walking, climbing or balancing required. Routine deadlines, variance in work volume predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressure from persons other than immediate supervisor.

Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors.

Instructions for Applying:

All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu and attach a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, and complete contact information for at least three professional references.