Job Description
Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation Specialist Boston University Department of Chemistry Chemical Instrumentation Center
The Boston University Department of Chemistry is seeking a Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation Specialist to join the Chemical Instrumentation Center (CIC).
The Instrumentation Specialist will support the research and instructional missions of the Department of Chemistry and the broader Boston University research community by overseeing the operation of shared mass spectrometry instrumentation and providing technical and scientific expertise to faculty, students, staff, and other users. The successful candidate will have strong expertise in mass spectrometry and related chromatographic techniques and will serve as a key technical resource for researchers using the CIC's instrumentation. The Specialist will consult with researchers on experimental design, develop and optimize analytical methods, provide training and technical support, assist with data interpretation, coordinate instrument maintenance and service, and contribute to the ongoing development of the University's mass spectrometry capabilities. The position works closely with Chemistry faculty, other CIC Instrumentation Specialists, instructional staff, and researchers across the University. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise along with a collaborative, service-oriented approach to supporting a diverse research and instructional community.
Key Responsibilities:
- Mass Spectrometry Facility Operations and Instrument Stewardship.
- Oversee the reliable operation, calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring of shared mass spectrometry and associated chromatography systems.
- Coordinate vendor service, repairs, software updates, service contracts, instrument qualification, and maintenance activities.
- Maintain appropriate service, maintenance, usage, and performance records.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, quality control practices, and instrument-use policies.
- Monitor instrument performance and work proactively to maximize instrument availability, reliability, and data quality.
- Coordinate maintenance and service activities across the CIC, satellite locations, and instructional spaces. Analytical Method Development and Research Support.
- Consult with faculty and research groups to identify appropriate analytical strategies and develop, optimize, and validate mass spectrometry methods.
- Support a range of applications, including high-resolution small-molecule analysis, quantitative LC-MS/MS, structural analysis, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, GC-MS, biomolecular characterization, and emerging mass spectrometry applications.
- Assist researchers with experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data processing, interpretation, and reporting.
- Work collaboratively with faculty and research groups to implement state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and related spectroscopic techniques in support of sponsored research and departmental research initiatives.
- Provide technical expertise to help researchers address complex analytical challenges.
- User Training and Laboratory Safety.
- Develop and deliver training for faculty, staff, and students on instrument operation, sample preparation, data acquisition, data analysis, and laboratory safety.
- Provide both introductory and advanced training in mass spectrometry techniques appropriate to users' research and professional development needs.
- Assess user competency and authorize independent instrument access when appropriate.
- Provide ongoing guidance to ensure users follow established operating procedures, safety requirements, and instrument-use policies.
- Provide technical consultation and support to users and assist with data interpretation.
- Scientific Collaboration and Campus Engagement.
- Develop collaborative relationships with research groups across Boston University's Charles River Campus and identify emerging analytical needs.
- Promote awareness and appropriate use of CIC mass spectrometry capabilities among faculty, students, and research groups.
- Participate in collaborative research projects, seminars, workshops, and scientific outreach activities.
- Contribute technical expertise to research proposals and, where appropriate, manuscripts and other scholarly activities.
- Work with faculty and CIC colleagues to expand and enhance the University's mass spectrometry capabilities.
- Facility Administration and Strategic Planning.
- Work with Chemistry leadership, CIC staff, faculty advisory groups, and BU Service Center Administration to establish appropriate service and billing rates and support annual cost-recovery goals.
- Monitor instrument usage, performance, and service activity and contribute to financial and operational planning.
- Evaluate service contracts, repairs, upgrades, and equipment replacement needs.
- Assist with short- and long-term planning for the development of mass spectrometry capabilities.
- Contribute technical information to instrumentation proposals and other funding opportunities.
- Assist with planning for new instrumentation and improvements to existing facility capabilities.
- Instructional Support
- Support undergraduate and graduate courses involving mass spectrometry, chromatography, and related analytical techniques.
- Provide instrument demonstrations, laboratory exercises, technical consultation, and training for instructional personnel.
- Collaborate with faculty to develop instructional activities that appropriately incorporate mass spectrometry and related instrumentation.
- Participate in educational seminars, workshops, and outreach activities organized by the CIC and Department of Chemistry.
Required Skills
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related life sciences field.
- 3+ years of relevant professional experience working with mass spectrometry instrumentation in a research, core facility, instrument laboratory, or comparable environment.
- Demonstrated experience with the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration of mass spectrometry instrumentation.
- Experience with chromatographic techniques, particularly liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.
- Experience providing technical support or training to instrument users. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, researchers, students, and technical staff. Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently while maintaining a strong service orientation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related field.
- Broad experience across multiple mass spectrometry applications, such as: High-resolution small-molecule analysis Quantitative LC-MS/MS Proteomics Metabolomics Lipidomics GC-MS Biomolecular characterization.
- Experience with optical spectroscopy or related characterization techniques.
- Experience developing and validating analytical methods.
- Experience working in a shared instrumentation facility or core research facility serving a diverse user community.
- Experience with grant-funded research and instrumentation proposal development.
- Experience providing graduate-level instruction or advanced technical training.
About the Chemical Instrumentation Center The Chemical Instrumentation Center provides advanced analytical instrumentation and technical expertise to support research and teaching across Boston University. The Center works collaboratively with faculty, researchers, staff, and students to provide access to sophisticated instrumentation, develop analytical methods, and ensure that users have the training and technical support needed to conduct high-quality research.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, For contractors