Job Details

Job Description Summary

Michigan Tech seeks a director of its Advanced Morphological, Chemical, and Analytical Laboratory (ACMAL). ACMAL is an interdisciplinary, university shared user facility that manages a suite of high-end structural characterization facilities including SEM (3 units), STEM (FEI Titan Themis), FIB, XES, AFM, XRD, XRF, and associated sample preparation facilities. The director manages the access and operational procedures, coordinates maintenance, oversees the personnel needs of the facility, interfaces with the campus-wide user community, coordinates user training, and leads or participates in efforts to expand capabilities and use. The Director will have a staff appointment in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, who manages the facility in behalf of the university.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the operation of electron-based imaging and analytical techniques in a research environment, be familiar with shared user-oriented facility model, demonstrated managerial skills, and a positive attitude compatible with providing efficient and high quality service to the university research community. A degree in the physical sciences, or engineering, or applied technology discipline is preferred.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

1. Direct, manage and maintain the Advanced Chemical, Morphological, and Analytical
Laboratory (ACMAL) at Michigan Tech.
a. establish and carry out a use policy (access, standard operating procedures,
safety, access, use fees, etc.) for each instrument
b. establish and carry out a maintenance plan for each instrument
c. maintain computer logbooks and process monthly charges to users
d. manage the ACMAL budget; bi-annually update use fees for ACMAL
instrumentation, process monthly charges to user accounts, and provide
quarterly reports to the chair of MSE.
e. Maintain ACMAL equipment in good working order.
f. Monitor and order supplies as needed. Locate specialized supplies and
equipment.
g. Identify ACMAL major equipment in need of replacement. Assist with choice of replacement. Assist faculty in the preparation of major instrumentation grant
proposals.
h. Coordinate equipment manufacturers service organizations as they make on-site maintenance and repairs. Assist them as necessary.
i. Maintain Google Resource calendars for all ACMAL equipment.
j. Maintain Google Groups list serve to quickly communicate with ACMAL users
about equipment status and staffing issues.
k. Train and assist new and returning users with equipment operation. Ensure that users acquire quality data in minimal time.
l. Direct student workers activities in ACMAL as they assist users with training and follow-up requestes users.
m. Monitor practices and safety in ACMAL laboratories. Assist MSE and university safety personnel with annual ACMAL safety survey.
n. Maintain an ACMAL webpage presence. Develop promotional materials for ACMAL.
o. Work with Information Technology to maintain and repair ACMAL computers.
p. Maintain and update ACMAL electronic user database (logbook).
q. Develop and maintain networking relationships with lab personnel at other
universities, field service engineers and salespersons.
r. Manage ACMAL staffing; coordinate ACMAL professional staff activities and provide support in carrying out their duties; identify and attract high quality students to assist with daily ACMAL operation, as needed
s. Represent ACMAL as a member of the University Shared Facilities Group
administered by the Associate Vice President of Research; attend quarterly meetings; submit on-time annual reports, as guided by the Associate VP; participate regularly in the Shared Facility grant application process; network with other University Shared Facility groups to develop best practices and establish complementing capabilities.
t. Update the Tech Finder equipment database for the VPR Office as new
equipment is added.
u. Serve as a member of MTU Financial Services Use Fee Committee providing
understanding and advice for technical matters the committee requires. Assist other units with use fee calculations.
v. Other unforeseen activities not listed above that are necessary to effectively and efficiently manage the ACMAL facility.

2. MSE administrative activities
a. Serve as member and point for the MSE space committee. Advice MSE chair as requested on changes to MSE M&M building space use.
b. Serve, along with department coordinator, as MSE space co-coordinator.
Identify need to update MSE space characteristics in university database.
c. Serve as MSE equipment coordinator. Tag new equipment as required. Track
location of MSE equipment and update university property office. Carry out
annual university equipment audits.
d. Order and maintain MSE gas cylinder orders. Process cylinder product charges and monthly rental charges. Maintain accounting of total cylinder count.
e. Other unanticipated activities related to MSE space and facilities not listed above that emerge.

Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives. 

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

A BS in the physical sciences, engineering, or applied technology (AAS) is required.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• Experience with the operation of electron-based imaging systems
• Experience with the operation of energy dispersive spectrometer systems
• Experience with the daily routine maintenance of electron-based imaging systems, ancillary equipment such as energy dispersive spectrometer systems, and associated sample preparation equipment and analytical techniques is required.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Demonstrated ability to perform non-routine repair of electron-based imaging and energy dispersive chemical analysis systems
• Demonstrated ability with the application of electron-based imaging to wide variety of materials
• Demonstrated ability with the application of energy dispersive chemical analysis to wide variety of materials
• Demonstrated ability with the application of EBSD to wide variety of materials
• A post-graduate degree in the physical sciences is desirable, with evidence of scholarly output from electron-based analytical facilities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

The knowledge, skills, and/or ability to perform basic laboratory functions appropriate for a major analytical facility, basic troubleshooting of instrument problems, instruction on the use of the instruments in the facility, recordkeeping, preparation of financial and use reports.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.