Title: Research Assistant

Department: Sciences

Duration: 12 months

Job Summary

Reporting to Professor Raul Navarro , the Chemistry department’s Research Assistant serves in an organic chemistry-based research group. This role’s primary responsibility is to conduct research that advances the field of transition-metal catalyzed reactions including but not limited to planning and conducting experiments, analyzing and interpreting data, and training undergraduate researchers.
This position is represented for purposes of collective bargaining by SEIU.

Job Duties

• 70% - Executing experiments. This includes planning experiments in their laboratory notebook, setting up experiments and monitoring their progress, completing the experiment, and experiment purification. - (Essential)
• 10% - Data analysis and presentation. This includes analyzing experimental data using standard analytical tools (e.g., NMR spectroscopy), interpreting data, and using chemistry-specific software (e.g., ChemDraw) to present data. - (Essential)
• 10% - Attend regular meetings with Professor Navarro, as well as regular meetings with his research group, to discuss experimental planning and execution, support with data analysis, and discussions of the primary literature that support the research projects. - (Essential)
• 10% - Train and support undergraduate students in the lab. This includes training new undergraduate researchers to conduct experiments using standard laboratory techniques and helping them troubleshoot their experiments and data analysis. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Successful completion of one year of an introductory organic chemistry course. Six months experience conducting organic chemistry research. Demonstrated ability to conduct organic chemistry experiments (e.g., set-up and analyze chemical reactions under inert atmosphere, extract organic products, analyze products by NMR, etc.). Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy. Strong commitment to a quality work product. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically. Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies. Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity. Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities. Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner. Ability to self-motivate and work independently. Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups. Ability to analyze, synthesize and organize data, and present findings in a comprehensible manner for different audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a 3.0 GPA or higher. One year experience conducing organic chemistry research.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $21.00/hr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.