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Technologist III

Employer
NASA JPL
Location
Pasadena, California, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jan 15, 2022

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Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Terrestrial
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
Job Details New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity-is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. Responsibilities: The Microdevices & Sensor Systems Section operates under the Instrument Division and is responsible for the development and delivery of sensors, instruments, instrument electronics, and flight software technologies needed by JPL/NASA to enable new terrestrial, astrophysics, and planetary in situ and remote science experiments and observations. The Section provides research and technology for science instrument as well as flight instrument engineering. The candidate will be a Technologist, Level 3 and be a member of the Chemical Analysis and Life Detection Group. You will have detailed knowledge in the area of microfluidic sample handling, natural sample processing, and handling of cells and cell cultures for microscopic characterization using optical techniques. You will report to the Group Supervisor of the group. The candidate will need to have expertise to work on studies of long-term stability of reagents used for capillary electrophoresis analyses. This work will help determine the optimal storage conditions for future missions that have long duration. In addition, will provide support in the development of new microfluidic sample handling systems capable of "end-to-end" microscopic analysis of cellular materials without user intervention. Experience with instrument development and validation is required. You will support the development and optimization of end-to-end instrument prototypes and validate their function on real samples acquired from oceans, lakes, or other water sources. You will advance these and related concepts for potential future ocean world astrobiology missions, or other potential terrestrial applications. You will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers on prototype instrument development, and will perform full characterization and testing of the integrated systems developed. You will report to the Group Supervisor. A successful candidate will collaborate and support the group in the following tasks: * Work on racemization of amino acids and degradation of organics during subcritical water extraction * Conduct complex alternative chemistry for derivatization of organic acids * Reagent stability after radiation exposure * Develop advance surface coatings to improve instrument performance * Apply complex chemical approaches to preconcentration of natural samples * Establish and verify models of instrument properties in support of design, calibration, and performance verification * Work collaboratively on important assignments and projects with only limited supervision, typically receiving only general instructions. * Exercise discretion and independent judgment to compare and evaluate various methods, approaches, and resources, and decides which will best accomplish each aspect of such assignments and project Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related technical disciplines with 6 years of related work experience; or Master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related technical disciplines with 4 years of related work experience; or Ph.D. in in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or similar disciplines with 2 years of related experience. * Exceptional interest to infuse new technologies, to develop new systems, and apply them to address novel science questions * Keen interest in the development and "end-to-end" automated demonstration of portable microscopy systems, including testing in the field using environmental samples. * Advanced knowledge and demonstration of skills in one or more of the following areas: microfluidic instrument system design, fluorescence microscopy, holographic microscopy, dry reagent storage. * Demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, build, test, calibrate, and evaluate a fully-operational microscope system for liquid samples. * Ability to work with Matlab, LabView, PeakFit, and ChemDraw * Extensive understanding and wide application of principles, theories, concepts, and techniques into instrument design principles. * Knowledge on how to derive science requirements and its implementation and verification * Ability to multi-task independently with an established track record of meeting milestone schedules. * Strong understanding of system engineering and development processes * Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated effectiveness and working closely in a team environment. * Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to present work in group and team reviews Preferred Skills: * Extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry including multi-step organic synthesis and organic compound structural characterization. * Experience using modern purification and characterization techniques such as HPLC and NMR. * Access to a fully equipped organic chemistry lab and associated instrumentation, in particular NMR. * Ability to work well with multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, management, and researchers at other NASA centers. Note: A preferred candidate has been identified and this is a Faculty part time position. JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law. In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

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