NCFL Laboratory Manager

Job Description

NCFL Instrumentation Laboratory Manager will have primary responsibility for overseeing and/or assisting select instrument laboratories at the NCFL in coordination with the NCFL director and other Instrumentation Laboratory Managers. Instrument laboratories for which this Instrument Research Associate is being sought include 1) Scanning Transmission and Transmission Electron Microscopy (S/TEM) and 2) focused ion beam (FIB)/scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The individual in this position must possess relevant skills in the operation and basic maintenance of S/TEM FIB/SEM and/or SEM instruments and related tools for sample preparation and analysis user training and education/outreach in coordination with a diverse team. Given the highdegree of coordination required in a fastpaced environment the individual will be wellorganized will always ensure safe working practices will communicate effectively with others as well as provide counsel to users on best practices to achieve high quality results. Depending on the education and experience of the successful candidate an offer of appointment may be made at either the rank of Research Associate Senior Research Associate or Research Scientist. Individuals with a PhD hired at the rank of Research Scientist are encouraged to conceptualize and advance a research agenda aligned with NCFL and Virginia Tech strategic priorities. Research Scientists may operate as a PI/CoPI on external grant applications and produce scholarly works suitable for publication in peerreviewed journals or presentation at national/international meetings.

Job Duties
1) User Support: Operate NCFL instruments and related tools in one or more of the following laboratories: 1) S/TEM Lab and/or 2) FIB/SEM Lab. 1) For the S/TEM Lab the individual will operate S/TEM instruments and related tools for both internal and external user projects using appropriate imaging and/or spectrometry techniques (bright field/dark field imaging electron diffraction energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX) and high resolution S/TEM imaging). Operation will include supporting/instructing lab exercise sessions for undergraduate graduate or equivalent courses. Operate dualbeam FIB for TEM sample prep as backup for FIB/SEM instrument manager. 2) For the FIB/SEM Lab the individual will operate SEM FIB and related tools for both internal and external user projects using appropriate imaging and/or spectrometry techniques (Secondary Electron (SE) and BackScattered Electron (BSE) imaging electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDX) and highresolution imaging). Operation will include performing liftout specimen preparation for TEM analysis and will further include supporting/instructing lab exercise sessions for undergraduate graduate or equivalent courses. The individual may also operate other SEM and TEM instrumentation as backup for other NCFL Instrument Research Scientists.

2) User Training: Provide basic instrument operation training to users in one or more of the following laboratories: 1) S/TEM Lab and/or 2) FIB/SEM Lab. 1) For the S/TEM Lab provide basic S/TEM instrument operation training to users including basic alignment basic imaging (bright field/dark field imaging) electron diffraction high resolution imaging and S/TEMEDX chemical analysis; support S/TEM data analysis for users which includes but is not limited to training users on basic data analysis software and providing guidance in the preparation of technical reports. 2) For the FIB/SEM Lab provide basic SEM and FIB instrument operation training to users including basic alignment basic SE/BSE imaging EBSD analysis highresolution imaging and EDX analysis; support for SEM FIB and EBSD users which includes but is not limited to training users on basic data analysis software and providing guidance in the preparation of technical reports.

3) NCFL Operations Support: Perform daytoday maintenance and calibration of instruments and related tools located in one or more of the following laboratories: 1) S/TEM Lab and/or 2) FIB/SEM Lab. 1) For the S/TEM Lab perform daytoday maintenance and calibration of S/TEM sample preparation equipment and rooms; be responsible for daily S/TEM alignment calibration and troubleshooting. 2) For the FIB/SEM Lab perform daytoday maintenance and calibration of SEM/FIB/EBSD sample preparation equipment and rooms; be responsible for daily FIB/SEM alignments calibration and troubleshooting. All NCFL Instrument Research Scientists will collaborate as a positive team member with other NCFL staff to implement daytoday maintenance of the facilitys instruments peripheral tools and data backups as well as run NCFLrelated instrument sessions outreach and educational activities including conducting tours of the facility for visitors; serve as a liaison with service engineers; assist NCFL director in developing and implementing sustainable instrument maintenance and upgrade strategy; be responsive to urgent/emergency calls from users and ICTAS staff. Given the nature of this position it requires occasional work after 5PM on weekdays and on weekends; occasional travel may be required.

4) Laboratory Support: Provide efficient and professional laboratory assistance in a fastpaced environment; effectively manage and prioritize competing demands; keep shared laboratory facilities operating at a high degree of organization cleanliness and safety.

5) Communication: Communicate and work effectively with users and other NCFL stakeholders with a variety of technical and cultural backgrounds; establish and enforce instrument usage procedures; maintain strong technical record keeping skills related for example to instrument operation experimental procedures and user interactions.

6) Research: Individuals possessing a PhD and hired at the rank of Research Scientist may conduct research with or without supervision using standard and nonstandard procedures appropriate to the field of nanoscale characterization and fabrication. The individual will recognize problems and inconsistencies in data propose solutions and offer scholarly interpretations of experimental outcomes. The individual will lead in the preparation of reports and peerreviewed publications describing research results and their implications. NCFL Instrumentation Research Managers who conduct research will be expected to seek external grant support and serve as either PI or CoPI in pursuit of their scholarly research interests either independently or in collaboration with a team.

Required Qualifications

1) An advanced degree with significant related professional experience (required for the rank of Research Associate). A PhD in a related discipline (required for the rank of Senior Research Associate or Research Scientist).

2a) For S/TEM Lab:
1. Experience with basic electron microscopy on crystalline and poorlycrystalline samples including obtaining Selected Area and Convergent Beam Electron Diffraction data as well as indexing such data.
2. Experience with general sample preparation techniques (e.g. drop casting FIB sectioning ultramicrotomy mechanical grinding ion milling electropolishing)
3. Experience operating both fieldemission and LaB6 source Scanning Transmission and Transmission Electron Microscopes equipped with and silicon drift energy dispersive Xray spectrometers (note: electron microscopes are covered by annual service contracts)
4. Working knowledge of applications software for transmission electron microscopy (e.g. Digital Micrograph JEOL EDX software)

2b) For FIB/SEM Lab:
1. Experience operating Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) and Dual Beam Focused Ion Beam (DBFIB) Electron Microscopes.
2. Experience with general sample preparation techniques (e.g. mechanical polishing electropolishing diffuse ion milling).
3. Working knowledge of applications software for Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Energy Dispersive Xray Spectroscopy (EDX) (e.g. Oxford Instruments Aztec EDAX TSL OIM Software)

3) Demonstrated experience establishing and enforcing prescribed instrument procedures
4) Demonstrated communication and recordkeeping skills
5) Ability to work effectively with faculty staff and students from a variety of technical and cultural backgrounds
6) Occasional work during weekdays after 5PM or on weekends and occasional travel

Preferred Qualifications

1) A PhD in a related discipline or advanced degree with significant related professional experience (required for the rank of Senior Research Associate). A PhD in a related discipline (required for the rank of Research Scientist).
2) Experience teaching material related to electron microscopy (e.g. theory practical usage)
3a) For S/TEM Lab: Experience with JEOL JEM 2100 and/or a spherical aberration corrected electron microscope
3b) For FIB/SEM Lab: Experience with FIB and SEM operation including a working knowledge of applications software for each
4) Experience demonstrating S/TEM and/or FIB/SEM capabilities for outreach to a variety of audiences (e.g. K12 students and teachers undergraduate and graduate students researchers including in academia government and industry)
5) Experience with other nanoscale characterization and fabrication tools such as TEM SIMS EBeam Lithography and/or various other tools as part of a versatile user facility

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience starting at $70000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

May 26 2024

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a handson transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problemsolvers. A comprehensive landgrant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges a school of medicine a veterinary medicine college Graduate School and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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