Laboratory Operations Specialist

Job Summary

The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is seeking a Laboratory Operations Specialist. In this role, you will be responsible for the generation of laboratory test results pertaining to commercial fertilizers, animal feed, and pet food samples. It requires experience with laboratory operations, including both chemical and physical analyses, and ranges from operating complex instrumentation, performing routine wet chemistry procedures, and utilizing equipment and staff resources. At the supervisor’s discretion, projects will be prioritized and summarized; however, drawing upon prior experiences and education and working independently with limited supervision is expected. This will involve communicating with internal staff, program administrators, equipment vendors, service engineers, technical support and peers, and collaborators to accomplish identified goals and objectives.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Actively supporting the day-to-day laboratory operations related to equipment and instrumentation, associated staff, and required resources to complete the testing and research priorities established by the Laboratory Supervisor - lab equipment includes ICP-OES, ICP-MS, combustion analyzers, automated and manual spectrophotometers, plus basic equipment including analytical balances, drying ovens, muffle furnaces, dispensers, sample preparation, etc.

• Conducting wet-chemistry procedures involving multiple sequential steps, ensuring proper sample preparation and execution in accordance with established methods and quality control requirements

• Closely monitoring laboratory equipment to ensure proper operation and performs routine maintenance and repairs and/or works with vendor technical support and service personnel to identify and resolve instrument performance problems

• As problems arise, they are brought to the attention of Supervisor for the determination of complexity and a plan for a timely resolution

• Working with building deputy, and/or maintenance staff to ensure problems are properly resolved

• Generating and evaluating quality control data and recommending adjustments to ensure compliance with stated quality control objectives. This includes bringing to the attention of the Lab Supervisor and Quality Control Director corrections taken to meet performance objectives

• Supporting the validation and performance qualification of laboratory methods and instrumentation, as well as participation in the AAFCO and Magruder proficiency testing programs as needed or directed

• As needed, investigating the safety requirements (e.g., SDS, literature, etc.) and providing the necessary documentation to ensure compliance and a safe work environment

• Assisting program administrators, laboratory supervisors, fellow laboratory staff, and other internal and external clients with implementing and/or modifying test methods, designing experiments, participating in collaborative studies and drafting Standard Operating Procedures