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Position Summary

The SEA mass spectrometry research scientist shares responsibility for the management, maintenance, and operations of specialized scientific research equipment Mass Spectrometry Facility in the Bioscience Research Collaborative building, a shared core lab within the Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) under the Office of Research. The scientist will be the primary manager for the new Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid LC-MS instrument for proteomics applications and with secondary responsibilities for the other instruments in the facility. As part of the Mass Spec Facility team, this position shares these responsibilities with other SEA mass spectrometry research scientists and provides support to other SEA facilities as needed.

This position exists because a specialist in this field is essential for the success of this facility. A professional in this field is needed to ensure that all equipment is properly maintained, users are properly trained and the facility instrumentation is used to its fullest potential.

Requirements

• Master's Degree Science or Engineering (biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, chemistry, or related field)
• 5 years of related experience with mass spectrometry instruments which includes 2 years of experience in proteomics mass spectrometry applications
• Hands-on experience operating and/or maintaining LC-MS instruments and supporting equipment (including auxiliary systems such as chillers, controls, electronics, pumps, vacuum systems, etc.)

Skills Required

• Strong interest in handling, processing, and analyzing high-throughput datasets.
• Motivation to constantly develop skills and expertise.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member while engaging in the organization of the proteomics core.
• Excellent analytical, communication, problem solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Established track record of publications and demonstrated ability to complete projects.
• Capability to learn complex tasks with instruction and to use experience to perform a variety of new techniques.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the full life cycle of assigned research equipment including negotiating the technical specifications for new research equipment, supervises vendor installation, keeps stakeholders informed of installation progress/completion, and operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, consulting with vendor regarding repairs and executing/overseeing repairs, as appropriate and facilitating routine maintenance of the equipment
• Stays abreast of latest technological advances in research and informs faculty and stakeholders of new methodology to facilitate their research and pursues the implementation of new techniques needed for research on the existing instrumentation
• Participates in research experiments/projects as requested/required
• Provides instruction and training on instrument usage to undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and external users
• Provides additional training when more specialized techniques are needed for research, works to the extent necessary with individuals in performing the experiments, interpreting the results, determining next steps, if any, and writing results for publication
• Follows best practices & facilitates a safe working environment
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Performs various administrative functions including but not limited to attending internal/external meetings, issues/tracks scientific equipment usage and fee charges to the necessary parties, and maintains security access control to research lab
• Works with the faculty in preparing grant proposals seeking funding for the acquisition of equipment that will improve the SEA's ability to do research and teach graduate and undergraduate students
• Works with vendor personnel and with Rice's Facilities and Engineering staff to ensure that the required laboratory utilities are installed by the time the instrument is delivered
• Establishes, with approval from the SEA Faculty Board, the rules governing the use of various instruments to maximize usage and revenues generated
• Participates in tracking equipment usage for user fee charges and work closely with the SEA accountant
• Manages inventory of lab consumables, including ordering, receiving, and storage of supply stocks.
• Negotiates the technical specifications for new instruments purchased and has overall responsibility for supervising the installation of the instruments by vendor personnel
• Keeps the SEA director, faculty board, and other stakeholders informed of the progress of instrument installation and status (e.g., completion of the satisfactory installation and recommends a suggested course of action if the vendor is unable to complete the installation in a reasonable amount of time or appears unable to meet all of its contractual obligations)
• At the faculty's request, pursues the implementation of new techniques needed for research on the existing instrumentation
• Provides general oversight of the facility (e.g., card-key access control and routine maintenance of the process equipment in the clean room, the equipment required to keep the room clean, and other associated equipment such as trace gas monitors)
• Gives presentations and helps organize workshops, to promote the capabilities of the facility
• Contributes to classroom instruction and performs laboratory demonstrations on managed instruments in support of teaching activities
• Preparation of protein samples from a wide range of specimens (e.g. human biofluids, tissues, cell cultures).
• Implementation of both bottom-up & top-down sequencing approaches.
• Global proteome profiling by data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) acquisition mass spectrometry.
• Detection of post-translational modifications (e.g. phosphorylations, acetylations).
• Relative quantification of proteins by label-free and stable-isotope labelling strategies (e.g. SILAC, TMT).
• Structural proteomics (e.g. cross-linking, pull-down experiments).
• Single cell proteomics analysis.
• Intact protein analysis & MW determination.
• Use of proteomics software (e.g. Proteome Discoverer, MASCOT) for data analysis.
• Operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid Mass Spectrometry and other laboratory equipment as needed.
• Assesses experimental results and troubleshoots methods and instruments to optimize research protocols.
• Collaborates efficiently with technicians, graduate students, post-docs, PIs, the laboratory director & colleagues.
• Maintains organized laboratory notebooks for all experimental procedures and reports results to users.

Preferences

• PhD in Science or Engineering (biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, chemistry, or related field).
• Expertise in one or more of the following technical areas: quantitative proteomics, single cell proteomic analysis, global proteome profiling.
• Experience processing, analyzing and presenting results from large data sets.
• Previous hands-on operation of Thermo Tribrid Orbitrap LC-MS Systems (e.g. Fusion, Eclipse, Ascend).
• Previous usage of capillary chromatography and/or microfluidic devices.

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Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

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