What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Analytical Chemist, Civil Engineering position at Vanderbilt University?
The Environmental Analytical Chemist is responsible for carrying out and facilitating advanced chemical analysis of aqueous solutions for environmental pollutants of concern including but not limited to semi-volatile, non-volatile and volatile organic compounds, inorganic constituents (e.g., heavy metals) and water quality parameters (e.g., anions, total organic carbon). The successful applicant provides operational, educational and research support in the laboratory areas related to faculty research and duties, develops and implements instrument-based and wet-chemistry-based analytical procedures, maintains and operates equipment, documents and communicates laboratory policies and ensures compliance with federal quality assurance/quality control requirements (QA-QC).
About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt’s Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) department vision is to be one of the foremost Civil and Environmental Engineering programs in effecting tangible change to resolve problems of critical importance to humanity in the built environment and the natural world through inspired teaching, research and service, and to maintain a culture of leadership within an educational setting that values research innovation and impact. CEE prepares students to be leaders in Civil and Environmental Engineering in an era of rapid evolution of the profession, to perform innovative basic and applied research that will meet critical challenges in infrastructure and natural resources, and provides service to institutions and government agencies that assists in resolving societal problems. The specific research group provides extensive research and support for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, along with other federal agencies and non-federal research sponsors.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
1. Implement EPA standard methods for analysis of semi-volatile, non-volatile and volatile organic compounds by GC-MS, including sample preparation by solvent exchange or solid phase extraction and meeting all applicable QA-QC requirements.
2. Implement EPA standard methods for inorganic elemental analysis by ICP-MS, ICP-OES and ion chromatography, including sample preparation and meeting all applicable QA-QC requirements.
3. Develop or modify existing methods as necessary for organic and inorganic analyses to account for complex background matrices.
4. Assist with leaching test methods development and implementation.
5. Participate in standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or sample preparation technique development (including documentation) on an as-needed basis to support faculty and student needs for selected analytical instrumentation.
6. Responsible for the training of students, post docs, and visiting scholars in the proper SOP for selected analytical instrumentation and procedures
7. Report to lab leadership any major instrument, equipment, or process issue. Clearly present the problem and participate with resolving the problem.
8. Support on-going safety culture in the Environmental Engineering Laboratory. Maintaining situational awareness
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have line supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Environmental Engineering Laboratory Manager.
Education and Certifications:
Bachelor’s in chemistry or related field is necessary. Advanced degree (MS or PhD) preferred. Required to maintain all training certifications necessary and deemed appropriate for the position.
Experience and Skills:
1. At least 5 years’ experience with one or more of the following instruments: gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
2.Analytical Experience
a. GC-MS (preferred)
b. ICP-MS (preferred)
c. ICP-OES (secondary preferred)
d. Familiar with EPA Standard Methods is preferred
e. Ion Chromatography
f. GC-FID
3. Technical understanding of basic lab procedures, safety culture and compliance requirements is necessary.
4. Analytical and quantitative skills with meticulous attention to detail are necessary.
5. Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
6. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is necessary.
7. Good written and oral communication skills are necessary.
8. Good interpersonal skills are necessary.