Geosciences Instructional and Technical Support Staff

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Join Smith College's Department of Geosciences and play a vital role in supporting hands-on learning, student research, and field-based education in a highly collaborative academic environment.

This is an interactive, lab-based role ideal for someone who enjoys:

• Working closely with students

• Managing scientific equipment and lab spaces

• Contributing to both classroom and field experiences

In this role, you will:

• Prepare geologic samples and support advanced analysis

• Maintain specialized instrumentation and lab operations

• Coordinate field trips and manage logistics

• Mentor and train student researchers

This position offers a unique blend of technical expertise, teaching support, and operational leadership.

Job Summary:

The expectations of this position are to provide support for the Department of Geosciences' instructional and co-curricular programs including assisting students and faculty with geologic sample preparation and analysis (e.g., making petrographic thin sections, training users on EDS, XRD), maintaining teaching and research equipment, arranging logistics of student field trips, driving during field trips, maintaining teaching collections and displays, supervising student researchers and workers, and assisting in the classroom.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions:

• Maintain the Rock Preparation Laboratory spaces, instruments and personal protective equipment to ensure safe operating conditions that comply with relevant standards.

• Properly train and supervise work-study and research students in using rock crushing, cutting, grinding, precision lapidary, and polishing equipment safely.

• Ensure that thorough cleaning including wet wiping/mopping of surfaces, maintenance of dust-removing equipment and frequent removal of slurries is performed whenever the Rock Preparation Laboratory is used in order to minimize the presence of silica and other dusts generated by sample preparation.

• Prepare thin sections, polished sections, and other samples for petrographic and geochemical analyses.

• Maintain teaching and departmental collections and displays.

• Serve as department liaison for large format poster printing.

• Assist with the logistics of class field trips including driving.

• Prepare, maintain, and manage field equipment.

• Maintain and support scientific equipment critical to class work and student and faculty research.

• Supervise and train students in the use of equipment.

• Coordinate repairs of laboratory equipment such as the X-ray diffractometer, energy-dispersive spectrometer, petrographic microscopes, and computerized analytical equipment - purchase parts, supplies, and research equipment needs.

• Maintain department equipment database.

• Assist with operation of the Center for Aqueous Biogeochemistry, including but not limited to assistance with class and analytical preparations, supervising students using equipment, and upkeep of reusable materials.

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications (education, experience, certifications, licenses, knowledge, skills)

• Master of Science (MS) in Geosciences

• Valid driver's license

• 1-5 years' experience in the use and management of scientific equipment

• Working knowledge of geology research equipment (e.g., rock cutting and polishing equipment, field equipment, petrographic microscopes, x-ray diffraction equipment, scanning election microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer, and geochemical analytical equipment)

• Ability to operate scientific equipment, problem solve, show initiative and resourcefulness, clearly communicate, safely drive vans

Additional Information

Work Schedule:
This position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional non-standard hours in support of field trips and departmental operations.

Work Location:
This is a fully onsite role, with regular in-person presence essential to support laboratory operations, field experiences, and engagement with students and faculty.

Application Review Timeline:
We will begin reviewing applications on April 3rd. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled.

Position Type

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.

Review of applications will begin

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.