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Job Title

GCR Technician III

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 looking for a skilled and motivated professional to join our team as a GCR Technician III. In this role, you’ll support Gulf Coast Repository Analytical Services by operating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation, processing samples, training visiting scientists, and contributing to the development and improvement of analytical tools, techniques, and software. You’ll work under the guidance of the GCR Analytical Services Supervisor and Senior Technicians, playing a key part in advancing scientific research and innovation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in geological sciences or oceanography, with hands-on experience in geologic laboratory operations. Preferred qualifications include mechanical or electronics skills, familiarity with scientific software, databases, and computer-aided design, as well as experience in designing, installing, or operating scientific equipment. Experience with scientific ocean drilling is a plus.

If you're passionate about supporting cutting-edge science and working in a dynamic lab environment, 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 or relevant field.

+ Eight years of relevant professional experience working in a laboratory. An advanced degree will reduce experience requirements: six years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree or four years of professional experience with 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 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 methods and 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 and develop new accurate documentation, including laboratory manuals and vendor documentation for instrumentation and equipment in assigned laboratory area. Ensure all GCR facilities and assigned laboratory area clean and in good working condition. Practice and promote safe laboratory practices at all times. Provides a leadership role 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 data processing, data analysis and QA/QC data 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 or lead 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. Develops and maintains training materials.

+ Sample Analysis & Methods Development- Run samples on GCR instrumentation for academic and commercial scientists, as required. Develop, enhance and audit instrument methods and protocols on an ongoing basis.

Physical Requirements

+ This is a physically demanding position that includes moving cores and heavy items in laboratories and in hot/cold environments.

+ This position requires fine motor skills for delicate tasks.

+ This position requires the ability to safely lift heavy objects using proper lifting techniques.

+ This position may need to bend, stoop kneel/squat or push/pull heavy objects.

+ Duties may require physical activity, including moving, lifting and carrying heavy objects, reaching, bending and maintaining balance on a moving ship; working under confined conditions on a ship, exposed to noise, vibration, potential allergens, and with occasional exposure to outdoor, extreme environments.

Other Requirements and Factors

+ 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 will be required to sail on expeditions operated by the Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordinating Office (SODCO) as a marine technician, which could be on a 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.

+ This position may require work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends.

+ 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.