Senior Research Instrumentation Specialist

About the role

Texas A&M University’s Department of Chemistry is seeking a Senior Research Instrumentation Specialist to lead the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Laboratory. The role combines laboratory management with independent research on radical SAM enzymes and hydrogenase maturation, supporting faculty and students in cutting‑edge spectroscopy.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the EPR Laboratory, including instrument maintenance, safety compliance, scheduling, billing, inventory, and procurement of cryogenics and gases.
• Provide expert guidance on continuous‑wave and pulsed EPR data collection, analysis, and interpretation for principal investigators and laboratory users.
• Conduct independent research using EPR spectroscopy to study anaerobic biochemistry, radical SAM enzymes, and hydrogenase maturation.
• Prepare technical reports, progress updates, conference presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Assist in grant writing, instrumentation proposals, and preparation of documentation for sponsors.
• Mentor and supervise graduate students, post‑doctoral researchers, and technical staff.
• Maintain laboratory communications, website updates, and collaborative research coordination.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field (PhD in Chemistry preferred).
• At least eight years of experience repairing, operating, and maintaining scientific instrumentation, with supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work standing for long periods and lift heavy equipment.
• Post‑doctoral level experience with pulsed EPR techniques such as ESEEM or ENDOR.
• Three or more years of experience operating continuous‑wave and pulsed EPR spectrometers.

Required skills

• Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy
• Continuous‑wave EPR
• Pulsed EPR, including ESEEM and ENDOR
• Instrument maintenance and troubleshooting
• Cryogenics handling and gas management
• Sample preparation for EPR experiments
• Data collection, processing, and analysis