Job Title

GCR 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

The International Ocean Discovery Program (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 Technician to support Gulf Coast Repository Analytical Services under the supervision of the GCR Analytical Services Supervisor and the general direction of the GCR Senior Technicians. This role involves operating, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory and analytical equipment, processing samples, training visiting scientists, and participating in projects to develop and enhance analytical instruments, techniques, and software. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Earth Science or a relevant field, four years of professional laboratory experience, and the ability to obtain and hold a passport and travel visas. Required skills include excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, the capacity to work independently and as part of a team, multitasking, and strong organizational skills. Preferred qualifications include operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities, mechanical or electronics skills, experience with databases, scientific software, computer-aided design, and scientific ocean drilling. Responsibilities include maintaining accurate documentation, promoting safe laboratory practices, assisting with large projects, and providing data processing and QA/QC support. The position may also involve splitting and curating cores, managing inventory, and ensuring the cleanliness and functionality of the laboratory. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply

What You Need To Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Special Note: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Other Requirements and Factors: This position may be required to sail, which is conditional based on TAMU successfully obtaining the Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordinating Office (SODCO). This position would sail on SODCO expeditions as a marine technician, which could be on 2-month expedition Seagoing employees must pass a new employee seagoing physical exam and annual seagoing physical exams. The employee would need to be able to travel internationally.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors in Earth Science or relevant field .

• Four years of relevant professional experience working in a laboratory.

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.

• Ability to multitask.

• 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.

• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to successfully organize tasks and prioritize work.

• Ensures strong team approach to service deliverables through routine team building, training, and interactions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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 design, construction, installation, or operation of scientific equipment and laboratory instrumentation.

• Experience with scientific ocean drilling.

• Background in geological sciences or oceanography.

Responsibilities

• GCR ANALYTICAL SERVICES - Responsible for instrument operation, maintenance, calibration for laboratory and analytical equipment in assigned laboratory area (paleomagnetics/petrophysics/chemistry/X-ray). Cooperate and work closely with scientists to optimize scientific data produced on GCR analytical equipment. Cross train on instrumentation in other laboratory areas of the GCR analytical facilities. Control inventory and maintain supplies for assigned laboratory area. Maintain accurate documentation, including laboratory manuals and vendor documentation for instrumentation and equipment in assigned laboratory area. Assist in keeping all GCR facilities and assigned laboratory area clean and in good working condition. Practice and promote safe laboratory practices at all times. Assist in 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 splitting and curating cores as required for core processing projects at the GCR. Box, move, and store cores in the GCR, as needed. Provides basic data processing and QA/QC of data generated by GCR instrumentation in assigned laboratory area and assist with transfer of generated data to facility users, with support from the Senior Technicians and Senior Data Analyst as required. Work on projects related to instrument and software development/enhancement.

• TRAINING AND OVERSIGHT - Provide training and oversight for visiting scientists using instrumentation in assigned laboratory areas. Ensure visiting scientists receive safe laboratory safety training and follow safe laboratory practices. Provide cross training to other GCR technical staff in areas of expertise.

• SAMPLE ANALYSES- Run samples on GCR instrumentation for academic and commercial scientists, as required.