Contract X Ray Diffraction Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 26395
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Recep Avci
(406) 994-4199
avci@montana.edu
Classification Title
Research Scientist and/or Research Engineers
Working Title
Spectroscopy and Imaging Specialist
Brief Position Overview
The Imaging and Chemical Analysis Laboratory (ICAL) at Montana State University plans to fill a full-time technical position with experience in electron and ion microscopy and spectroscopy, diagnostic and repair skills of electronic equipment. The successful candidate will be involved with training of users on the instrumentation, and working with academic and industrial users in experimental design and data acquisition and interpretation.
Position Number
4C0120
Department
Research Core Facilities
Division
Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type
Professional
Contract Term
Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA
Exempt
Union Affiliation
Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE
0.75 - 1.0
Benefits Eligible
Eligible
Salary
Salary starting at $50,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type
LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type
Open
Position Details
General Statement
Job responsibilities include operation and maintenance of various microscopes and spectrometers in ICAL, diagnosing and repairing electronic equipment, and assisting with managerial duties in ICAL at Dept. of Physics. Includes training new users, and working with academic and industrial collaborating researchers in support of diverse research initiatives across the STEM disciplines.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor the status of instruments in ICAL with responsibility for maintenance and repair as needed.
• Operate an integrated Auger nanoprobe and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer for internal and external users and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FEM), including cryo-FEM, for internal and external users, and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an atomic force microscope (AFM) and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) instrument and prepare and send analysis reports to external users.
• Operate an IONTOF mass spectrometry system and prepare and send analysis reports to internal and external users.
• Teach short courses to the users of ICAL on how to use these instruments including teaching some fundamentals.
• Engage in ICAL outreach activities on behalf of the MONT project, including scheduling outreach activities and coordinating activities with ICAL staff and visiting participants.
• Monitoring instrument use scheduling to prioritize use and to avoid scheduling conflicts among ICAL's many and diverse users.
• Assist, when necessary, with ICAL-related management issues such as purchasing, ordering supplies, updating and maintaining computer systems, managing user accounts and user scheduling, and general laboratory operation and maintenance (e.g., disposal of biological and hazardous materials).
• Assist with communications with lab users (i.e., students, faculty, external corporate users) and teaching short courses for new users.
• Assist, when necessary, with preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual ICAL user statistics for MONT and ICAL reports.
• Support safety protocols in ICAL, including biosafety, chemical hazard, and ionizing radiation standards.
• Learn to operate some of the other ICAL instruments such as the epifluorescence optical microscope, critical point drying, contact angle measurement, and zeta potential instruments to assist ICAL users if/when needed.
• Share the responsibility with other ICAL personnel of interacting with users, providing the first contact with potential users, and identifying and directing them to staff and related resources that can support their analytical needs.
• Ensure the lab is kept well organized and clean.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. A Master of Science or higher degree in science or engineering disciplines or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in electron and/or ion microscopy and spectroscopy and related fields.
3. Skills in tracking and diagnosing instrument problems and undertaking or arranging for their repair.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Demonstrated experience in diagnostic and repair skills regarding electronic and/or mechanical malfunctions; operating scientific equipment with emphasis on high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy; skills for learning and updating existing scientific and engineering skills; and interpersonal skills for dealing with students and other users in multidisciplinary science and engineering fields regarding their needs related to scientific and financial issues.
2. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills such as writing scientific reports and dealing with internal and external users and with private sector individuals.
3. Experience in handling computer-machine interfaces and hardware and software issues.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Respect differences and make sure that ICAL is a welcoming facility that supports success in research and education for ALL users.
• Possess the dedication and commitment to consistently deliver high-quality data to the users of ICAL.
• Possess the ability to teach Short Courses to the new users of ICAL.
• Be highly motivated to learn new skills within a given discipline or to learn new skills outside current skills.
• Possess abilities for timely and effective communications, oral or written, with the users of ICAL and to resolve any outstanding issues in a timely manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on May 21, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.