See the full posting here: https://careers.k-state.edu/en-us/job/515524/research-assistant
About This Role:
This research assistant position is for an analytical laboratory chemist. The analytical chemist is primarily responsible for the determination of nutrient content in water samples collected from the Konza Prairie LTER program. The lab chemist maintains a clean and safe working environment and follows standard quality assurance / quality control procedures with the following duties:
Water chemistry and database management (75%) – Operation of rapid flow analyzer for determination of ammonium, nitrate, total N, total P, and soluble reactive phosophorus in water samples. Operation of a TOC analyzer for determination of total organic C in water samples. Serve as the primary laboratory coordinator, maintain supplies of standards, reagents, instrument and laboratory consumables, and stock solutions. Maintain records of samples in the lab and record final data into excel data files. Coordinate with the LTER information manager that data are ready for archival. Maintain and update laboratory methods. Participate in cross-laboratory calibration programs.
Supervision (10%) – Train student workers in proper laboratory skills and procedures. Provide instruction for collection of field samples, handling, and subsample storage. Provide training for students for nutrient determinations for research projects and guidance when needed.
Equipment Maintenance (10%) – Serve as the site operator for several national nutrient assessment programs. Repair and maintain field collection equipment on Konza Prairie as needed. Perform repairs on laboratory instruments as needed.
Konza Service (5%) – Assist with the prescribed burn program and other associated Konza activities as necessary.
