Atmospheric Scientist / Scientist Professional Entry Level - Military Veterans

The candidate will facilitate secondary organic aerosol studies through the operation of smog chambers and accessory measurement instrumentation. Examples of job responsibilities include the following:

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot dynamic and static reaction chambers and gas delivery systems including clean air systems, gas cylinders and pressure regulators, and mass flow controllers.
• Accurately establish initial chamber conditions and maintain chamber/reaction conditions by adjusting various parameters including chamber pressure, gas concentrations, and light levels.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot both on-line, automated, and off-line liquid injection gas chromatograph and HPLC systems.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain instruments intended to analyze chamber contents including gas chromatographs, hydrogen generators, gas analyzers, as well as other real time monitoring instruments.
• Collect, analyze, and compile smog chamber data using Microsoft Excel and other data analysis packages.
• Develop, review, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) pertaining to smog chamber operation.
• Keep accurate and complete laboratory records.
• Proactively manage lab safety and research quality assurance.
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with supervisors, colleagues, and customers.
• Order, receive, and track gas cylinders and other materials needed for chamber studies.

Must comply with all company policies, procedures, and appropriate regulations.

The candidate will assist in the day-to-day operation of EPA-owned facilities including smog chambers and associated laboratories. The candidate will support facility maintenance, maintain records, set schedules, and perform equipment and instrumentation preventive maintenance and calibrations. They will troubleshoot operations and report findings. The candidate will research and provide information and recommendations on test equipment and instrumentation and will assist in evaluation and verification of chamber test equipment.

The candidate will perform facility quality assurance tasks as required. They will write standard operating procedures for facility and instrumentation maintenance, calibration, and operation. They will follow quality assurance procedures and standard operating procedures and document all work performed.

The candidate will provide operational and logistical support for smog chamber experiments including setting up and testing equipment, performing experiments, and collecting and analyzing chamber samples.

The candidate will determine purchasing needs, maintain inventories of spare parts, communicate with vendors, and prepare purchasing paperwork for facility materials and supplies. They will maintain equipment inventory spreadsheets and databases and assist with annual equipment inventory reconciliation.

This position requires laboratory work in a facility with stairs, and the candidate must be able to climb stairs. The candidate must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs and must be comfortable and knowledgeable with the appropriate use and transport of gas cylinders. The candidate must be able to wear a N95 or N100 respirator. Use of laser-based scientific instruments is required. Safety training and appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided. Annual medical monitoring is required and provided by the company.

U.S. citizenship is required. The candidate must be able to pass a background check and might be required to obtain a security clearance of an appropriate level. They must comply with all company policies, procedures, and appropriate regulations.

Minimum qualifications are an Associate of Science degree with coursework focusing on chemistry, physical science, engineering, or related field and 2+ years of laboratory experience ideally in aerosol and atmospheric chemistry research.

All candidates must be detail oriented, self-motivated, and have strong problem-solving, leadership, communication, organizational, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.

The ability to work as part of a team of scientists, multi-task, and interact constructively with staff, Quality Assurance and Safety personnel, and the customer is essential.

The successful candidate would be equally competent in both analytical aptitude and mechanical ability.

In addition to a solid analytical foundation, a strong background in the principles and application of chromatography (gas chromatography and HPLC) techniques to qualitative and quantitative measurements from various media is also critical.

Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Excel and Word.

Preferred Skills:

A strong mechanical background would ideally include experience with and use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of scientific equipment including environmental reaction chambers, clean air systems, environmental gas (O 3 , NO x , SO x ) monitors, and data acquisition systems as well as the experience troubleshooting low voltage electrical circuits.

Experience and proficiency with more advanced computer platforms including experience with Python or R is preferred.

U.S. citizenship is required. The candidate must be able to meet background check requirements and may require a security clearance of an appropriate level.

Essential Functions:

Unusual or Special Physical Requirements of Position

Examples:

Specify

% of Time

• Lifting

• Climbing

• Crawling

• Special clothing/equipment (wearing)

• Unusual physical requirements

• High noise level

• Other

35 lbs. 5% of time

Respirator (N95, N100, or PAPR) 10% of time

96 dB 10% of time

Description of Work Environment

Examples:

Specify

% of Time

• Inside? Outside? Where

• Combination of above

• Extreme (hot/cold) temperatures involved

• Hazardous conditions - What are they

• Travel/transportation requirements

• Other

Inside laboratory

Equipment and Machines Involved in Work Tasks

Examples:

Specify

% of Time

• Office equipment/machines electrically/battery operated - which?

• Vehicles, forklifts, etc. operated which?

• Tools used in trade - which ones?

• Other

Electrically operated computers and office equipment

Gas generation systems, aerosol generators, environmental samplers/monitors

Criticality of Attendance

Examples:

Specify

% of Time

• Overtime, regular days, off days

• Shift, 2nd, 3rd

• Necessity for regular attendance

• Urgency for punctuality

Mon-Fri

1 st

Regular attendance required