Research Assistant III

This position will oversee all LC/MS and GC/MS instruments and accessories including routine maintenance; design, perform and report service analyses for Core clients; perform client-specific training of GC/MS and LCMS instrument users; perform preparation of samples for mass spectrometric analysis from biological and other sample matrices; report monthly use of instruments for billing purposes; maintain compliance with required safety training through MSU EHS; arrange for replenishment of essential laboratory supplies needed for sample preparation and sample analyses and dispose of wastes using appropriate safe procedures.

Primary job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all IMS and GC/ MS instruments in the RTSF Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Core (two Agilent 5975, one Thermo DSQ-II, and one Waters GCT Premier) and accessories (autosamplers for vials, headspace analysis, and thermal desorption analysis) including routine maintenance, regular performance assessments, coordination of major repairs with vendors, and management of spare parts inventories
• Maintain IMS and GC/MS data system computers and archiving of IMS and GC/MS data
• Design, perform, and report service analyses using IMS and GC/MS for Core clients
• Provide oral status reports and make recommendations for procedures at weekly staff meetings
• Manage liquid nitrogen and compressed gas supplies including cylinder ordering and return following safe procedures
• Manage gas compressor and associated membrane nitrogen generator including minor maintenance tasks and coordination with external maintenance/repair personnel
• Perform client-specific training of IMS and GC/MS instrument users
• Assist IMS and GC/MS instrument users with experiment design, instrument operation, and data analysis 
• Report monthly use of instruments described above for billing purposes
• Design, test, and write standard operating procedures for sample preparation and IMS and GC/MS analyses of a wide range of samples.

Applicants are expected to have strong verbal and writing English communication skills and working knowledge of basic principles and common practice of quantitative IMS and GC/MS including sample preparation, instrumental analysis, and data interpretation with at least one year of hands-on IMS and GC/MS experience.

This is an off-dated position with an end date of two years from the date of hire. Extension is contingent upon mutual interest and the availability of additional funding. 

Knowledge equivalent to that which would be normally acquired by completion of one or two years of post-bachelor degree work, such as a Master's in biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, chemical engineering; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive laboratory work experience involving use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

A combination of degree and experience will be needed for this role. Knowledge equivalent to what would normally be acquired through completion of 2-5 years of post-bachelor’s degree work such as graduate-level research experience, 1-3 years of related work experience in quantitative analytical chemistry methodologies including chromatographic separations, mass spectrometry, analytical method design, use of mass spectrometry vendor software, interpretation and troubleshooting of quantitative analytical results, presentation of results in oral and written forms, supervision, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Related training certificates
• Three professional references
• LinkedIn profile and or website if available (Optional) 

STANDARD 8-5

This is an off-dated position funded for two years from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal

HTTPS://RTSF.NATSCI.MSU.EDU

Advertised: May 6, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: May 26, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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