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Job Title

SODCO Chemistry 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

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

Scientific Ocean Drilling (SOD) is committed to advancing our understanding of Earth’s history by exploring the sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. For decades, SOD supported groundbreaking research through global seagoing expeditions aboard the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution (JR), operated on behalf of the National Science Foundation (NSF). These missions yielded invaluable core samples that have deepened our knowledge of Earth’s climate, geology, and biosphere.

Following the recent demobilization of the JR, Texas A&M University has been entrusted by the NSF to establish the Gulf Coast Repository (GCR), a state-of-the-art facility that incorporates advanced instrumentation from the JR. With the recent award of the Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO), SOD is now poised to lead the coordination and management of future drilling activities.

Our mission is to support the scientific community by facilitating the collection of subseafloor samples, conducting in-situ measurements, and installing long-term borehole observatories, all to drive discovery and innovation in Earth science.

What We Want

We’re seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to join our team as a SODCO Chemistry Technician. This critical role supports the maintenance, oversight, and mobilization of chemistry and microbiology instrumentation for Mission Specific Platforms (MSPs). Responsibilities include preparing laboratory containers and analytical equipment for seagoing cruises, managing inventory and supplies, assisting with mobilization and demobilization efforts, and sailing as a Chemistry Marine Technician to operate instruments at sea.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with geologic lab instrumentation, including geochemistry, microbiology, microscopy, and core physical property measurements. A background in geological sciences or oceanography, along with experience in logistics, equipment design and installation, and shipboard laboratory work, is preferred.

A bachelor’s degree in earth science, chemistry, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of four years of relevant experience. Candidates with a Master’s degree require two years of experience; those with a PhD meet the experience requirement. If you're ready to contribute to groundbreaking scientific exploration and help uncover Earth’s secrets, we encourage you to apply.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

+ Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Chemistry, or relevant field.

+ Four years of relevant professional experience in working with chemical analytical equipment. An advanced degree will reduce experience requirements: two years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree or the completion of a PhD.

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 independently, multitask, and to lead a team.

+ Must be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively, demonstrating excellent teamwork, leadership, and displaying a service-oriented attitude in all interactions.

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

Preferred Qualifications

+ Working operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities, including operation and maintenance of instrumentation related to measuring geologic core physical properties, geochemistry, microbiologic sample handling, and microscopy.

+ Experience with logistics.

+ Experience in design, construction, and/or installation of scientific equipment.

+ Experience with scientific ocean drilling and working in shipboard laboratories.

+ Background in geological sciences or oceanography.

Responsibilities

+ SODCO Chemistry Lab Support- Responsible for providing technical and analytical support for chemistry and microbiological equipment for MSPs. Will provide technical support at sea as a Marine Technician, training scientists, overseeing lab safety requirements, and assisting with measurements. Ensure that scientists are following proper safety measurement protocols. Between expeditions, ensure chemistry and microbiology containers and their infrastructure and installed support equipment are maintained, repaired, and readied for the next expedition. Maintain accurate documentation on all chemistry and microbiological equipment. Work with the SODCO expedition project team and GCR management to ensure analytical requirements and related equipment and supplies are defined and ready for shipping deadlines.

+ SODCO Mobilization and Logistical Support- Responsible for assisting in SODCO mobilization and demobilization activities and specifically overseeing these tasks for chemistry and microbiology equipment. This includes mobilization of instrumentation from the GCR to containers and then demobilized at the end of the expedition.

+ SODCO General Lab Support- Assist with other SODCO laboratory equipment maintenance under the direction of the Technical Support Supervisor. Participate in SODCO projects related to instrument and software development/enhancement.

+ Supply Management- Responsible for overseeing lab-specific supplies for each expedition and assist in maintaining a property database of the laboratory instruments and equipment, including their location. Assist with supply ordering and receiving.

Physical Requirements

While at sea, the position requires physical tolerance to maintaining balance on a moving ship; working under confined condition in a 24/7 work place with 12-h shifts; exposure to low-mid level noise and vibration, potential allergens and occasional odors; fine motor skills as well as strenuous physical activity including moving, lifting and carrying objects of medium to heavy weight using proper lifting techniques ; reaching and bending, commonly in extreme environments.

Other Requirements and Factors

+ This position is required to sail, which will require passing a routine medical exam (typically every two years).

+ This position is security sensitive

+ This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures

+ All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements

+ This position allows alternate work location per TAMU guidelines

+ This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

+ Health (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/medical/) , dental (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/dental/) , vision (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/vision-insurance/) , life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/life-add/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

+ 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

+ Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html)  and at least  eight hours of paid vacation each (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) month

+ Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

+ Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

+ Professional Development: All employees have access to free  LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

+ Employee Tuition Assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance/) and Educational Release time (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/educational.html) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.