The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University invites applications for a Staff Associate III position. The AGES (Argon Geochronology for the Earth Sciences) lab seeks a motivated candidate for the Staff Associate III position and serve as a multi-purpose technical assistant and lab manager. In addition to Ar geochronology the AGES lab is building capacity for He and Ne isotope measurements in a variety of solid materials, Picarro water stable isotope measurements and K concentrations in small samples. The successful candidate would be an individual who is eager and able to take on new challenges, and to perform multiple tasks, including helping with repairing, maintaining, operating and building noble gas systems as well as a Picarro instrument, sample processing and microscope work. Managerial skill in organizing and working with a group of people composed of senior researchers through undergraduate student personnel is particularly important in this job, and it is essential for the lab to be welcoming for students. The selected candidate would be supervised by Prof. Sidney Hemming. 

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Manage and control the operations or the AGES Lab to include operation and maintenance of lab instrumentation.
• Organizing samples and sample processing for lab projects.
• Organizing sample throughflow and lab users.
• Overseeing supplies and services needed for the lab operation.
• Manage students and other lab users.
• Initially the position will be closely supervised to get the person prepared, but independent performance is expected after the initial training period (~few months), within parameters set by the supervisor.
• Some independent judgement required and expected to increase over time. Initially the decisions will be made as a group as the Staff Associate III learns the ropes.
• Will be in charge of ordering and maintenance of materials and supplies for the lab.
• Will work with several PIs but should be comfortable with considering budgets and expenses.

• Bachelor?s degree in Earth Sciences or closely related field and 4-6 years of experience. Master?s degree in Earth Science may substitute for 2 years of experience.
• Strong analytical skills required.
• Must have some experience with using/maintaining/trouble shooting instrumentation.
• Prior noble gas lab experience highly desirable.
• Experience making precision geochemical measurements is required.
• Prior managerial experience preferred.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the ad appears and will remain open until the position is filled.

Appointments are made on a fiscal year basis and are eligible for renewal each July 1st, contingent upon performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

The Lamont campus values diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from members of underrepresented minority groups.

We accept online applications only. 

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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