Laboratory Operations Specialist - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
About the role
Job Description Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. JD # JD1683
Unit/Project Description: The Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research (BIMR) and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility at McMaster University provide advanced research infrastructure and technical expertise that support a diverse community of faculty, students, industry partners, and external researchers across the materials, chemical, physical, and life sciences. Together, these facilities operate state-of-the-art instrumentation for materials characterization, cryogenic and thermal analysis, magnetic measurements, and solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, enabling cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and innovation.
Job Summary: Responsible for the operation and support of the University’s Cryogenic Facilities and highly complex scientific instrumentation, ensuring equipment reliability, optimal performance, and adequate supply of critical resources. Maintains and troubleshoots equipment, supports research activities, and contributes to effective and efficient laboratory operations. Provides specialized expertise in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to support research and contract projects, assisting faculty, students, and external clients in addressing complex scientific and technical challenges. Applies and adapts advanced theoretical knowledge to evolving research needs, including data analysis, experimental design, and problem-solving.
Purpose and Key Functions: Ensure an adequate supply of liquid helium for use in facility equipment as well as use by other researchers in the building. Conducts analysis of complex NMR spectroscopic data. Read and understand technical manuals for highly complex experimental equipment including, but not limited to, schematics, blueprints, electrical drawings, and flow diagrams. Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair instruments and equipment accordingly. Observe equipment while running to ensure proper and efficient operation. Modifies standardized experiments to optimize data collection. Writes presentations to report on research findings. Delivers presentations at scientific meetings, conferences and workshops. Writes detailed structural reports for NMR spectroscopy, and documents experimental details. Writes technical documentation including standard operating procedures and structural reports. Identifies, analyses and solves complex problems as presented in the research projects and contracts. Provides professional advice and consultation to external clients. Provides advice regarding experimental design and methodology, technical problems and reviews work for technical accuracy. Applies specialized knowledge and scientific principles to review, critically appraise and interpret published literature. Determine technical specifications and requirements for installations of new equipment. Determine technical specifications for existing equipment and find suppliers for suitable replacements for rare and obsolete parts. Analyze technical data obtained from highly complex experimental equipment in order to optimize performance and determine reasons and mechanisms for failure, and determine how to resolve the problems. Intervene in the operation of equipment when necessary to improve performance, improve experimental results and protect equipment from malfunctions. Monitor diagnostics of instruments to determine if the equipment is optimally operating. Perform failure analyses of equipment within the facilities. Modify the design of equipment in order to improve performance or prevent a recurrence of the problem. Interacts with students, clients and visitors which may include conducting laboratory tours, demonstrating procedures and equipment and responding to inquiries. Prepares NMR samples for analysis. Train researchers to use experimental equipment, perform experiments for researchers both internal and external to the University. Design systems for new instruments purchased by researchers based on desired geometric layout in laboratories, specifications of manufacturers, and other physical constraints of the instruments. Moving cryogen dewars between labs, liequefier room and loading dock. Moving gas cylinders and loading them into storage racks Moving vacuum pumps and other equipment into working position or repair. Remain current with frequent developments in the field. Calibrates spectrometer equipment.
Supervision: Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff (less than 12 months) and volunteers for events and activities (may includes staffing for short-term needs).
Requirements: A Master's degree. in Physics or Chemistry or a related field. Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
Assets: Knowledge of Bruker instrumentation and related software would be considered an asset
Additional Information: Experience working in a shared academic or institutional research facility environment Familiarity with cryogenic systems, compressed gases, and vacuum systems Experience supporting or maintaining NMR, analytical, or materials characterization instrumentation Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and preventative maintenance programs Strong troubleshooting and technical problem-solving skills Familiarity with helium recovery systems and low-temperature research infrastructure
How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
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Laboratory Operations Specialist - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
About the role
Job Description Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. JD # JD1683
Unit/Project Description: The Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research (BIMR) and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility at McMaster University provide advanced research infrastructure and technical expertise that support a diverse community of faculty, students, industry partners, and external researchers across the materials, chemical, physical, and life sciences. Together, these facilities operate state-of-the-art instrumentation for materials characterization, cryogenic and thermal analysis, magnetic measurements, and solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, enabling cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and innovation.
Job Summary: Responsible for the operation and support of the University’s Cryogenic Facilities and highly complex scientific instrumentation, ensuring equipment reliability, optimal performance, and adequate supply of critical resources. Maintains and troubleshoots equipment, supports research activities, and contributes to effective and efficient laboratory operations. Provides specialized expertise in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to support research and contract projects, assisting faculty, students, and external clients in addressing complex scientific and technical challenges. Applies and adapts advanced theoretical knowledge to evolving research needs, including data analysis, experimental design, and problem-solving.
Purpose and Key Functions: Ensure an adequate supply of liquid helium for use in facility equipment as well as use by other researchers in the building. Conducts analysis of complex NMR spectroscopic data. Read and understand technical manuals for highly complex experimental equipment including, but not limited to, schematics, blueprints, electrical drawings, and flow diagrams. Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair instruments and equipment accordingly. Observe equipment while running to ensure proper and efficient operation. Modifies standardized experiments to optimize data collection. Writes presentations to report on research findings. Delivers presentations at scientific meetings, conferences and workshops. Writes detailed structural reports for NMR spectroscopy, and documents experimental details. Writes technical documentation including standard operating procedures and structural reports. Identifies, analyses and solves complex problems as presented in the research projects and contracts. Provides professional advice and consultation to external clients. Provides advice regarding experimental design and methodology, technical problems and reviews work for technical accuracy. Applies specialized knowledge and scientific principles to review, critically appraise and interpret published literature. Determine technical specifications and requirements for installations of new equipment. Determine technical specifications for existing equipment and find suppliers for suitable replacements for rare and obsolete parts. Analyze technical data obtained from highly complex experimental equipment in order to optimize performance and determine reasons and mechanisms for failure, and determine how to resolve the problems. Intervene in the operation of equipment when necessary to improve performance, improve experimental results and protect equipment from malfunctions. Monitor diagnostics of instruments to determine if the equipment is optimally operating. Perform failure analyses of equipment within the facilities. Modify the design of equipment in order to improve performance or prevent a recurrence of the problem. Interacts with students, clients and visitors which may include conducting laboratory tours, demonstrating procedures and equipment and responding to inquiries. Prepares NMR samples for analysis. Train researchers to use experimental equipment, perform experiments for researchers both internal and external to the University. Design systems for new instruments purchased by researchers based on desired geometric layout in laboratories, specifications of manufacturers, and other physical constraints of the instruments. Moving cryogen dewars between labs, liequefier room and loading dock. Moving gas cylinders and loading them into storage racks Moving vacuum pumps and other equipment into working position or repair. Remain current with frequent developments in the field. Calibrates spectrometer equipment.
Supervision: Ensures adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff (less than 12 months) and volunteers for events and activities (may includes staffing for short-term needs).
Requirements: A Master's degree. in Physics or Chemistry or a related field. Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
Assets: Knowledge of Bruker instrumentation and related software would be considered an asset
Additional Information: Experience working in a shared academic or institutional research facility environment Familiarity with cryogenic systems, compressed gases, and vacuum systems Experience supporting or maintaining NMR, analytical, or materials characterization instrumentation Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and preventative maintenance programs Strong troubleshooting and technical problem-solving skills Familiarity with helium recovery systems and low-temperature research infrastructure
How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.