Cosmochemistry - Academic Graduate Appointee

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Pay Range

$6,620 - $8,040 Monthly

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

We have an opening for an Academic Graduate Appointee (AGA) to perform sample preparation and analysis for cosmochemistry research. Your work will involve initial characterization and preparation of extra-terrestrial samples, digestion and chemical purification of these samples in a clean laboratory setting, assistance with isotopic analysis by mass spectrometry. This opportunity is in the Cosmochemical and Isotopic Signatures group in the Nuclear and Chemicals Sciences Division (NACS) and will provide the experience to prepare you to successfully pursue advanced graduate studies.

You will

• Conduct sample preparation of extra-terrestrial rock samples, including crushing, sieving, mineral picking, micromanipulation and annealing of micron-sized mineral grains, and assist with characterization of small extraterrestrial samples using microscopy techniques.
• Dissolve extraterrestrial rock samples in a clean room setting using mineral acids and purify samples for analysis using ion chromatography separation methods, and maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notes to ensure quality control of analytical results and to support preparation of reports.
• Gain basic familiarity with high-precision mass spectrometry methods, including laser-ablation methods, and assist with isotopic and trace element analysis.
• Assist in developing and applying statistical algorithms to evaluate data quality and reliability and conduct basic thermodynamic modeling for cooling of planetary bodies under different pressure-temperature conditions.
• Assist in developing computer codes to operate simple electronic equipment, such as electronic stepper motors and microprocessors, for sample preparation.
• Maintain a stock of clean labware and reagents necessary to support sample preparation and analysis, including re-ordering of general lab supplies.
• Present formal and informal overviews of progress to the principal investigator and at cosmochemistry group meetings, and interact with and support Cosmochemical and Isotopic Signatures group members and the principal investigator on various projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• A Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience with micromanipulation and characterization of small samples.
• Experience working in a clean room laboratory setting, as well as with using basic laboratory equipment and wet chemistry techniques including mineral acids.
• Adequate familiarity with electronics to build simple electronic devises to aid with lab work and test circuit boards.
• Understanding of thermodynamics needed to investigate thermal models of planetary cooling.
• Understanding of statistics and basic programming to develop statistical algorithms and approaches for evaluating data reliability.
• Experience with critical data record-keeping and safety procedures in a laboratory environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills necessary to work in a collaborative research environment and to document and present research results

Qualifications we desire

• Familiarity with analytical techniques for geochronology.
• Experience with high-precision isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

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Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

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None required.However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

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