CHESS Operator

CHESS Operator

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CHESS Operator

Research Support Specialist I – Band E

Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences & Education

Who We Are

The Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is an internationally-recognized research facility that provides high intensity x-ray beams and state-of-the-art instrumentation to scientists and students from university, government, and industrial labs around the world. These groups employ CHESS to conduct research in areas ranging from biology, physics, and chemistry to mechanical and structural engineering, advanced manufacturing, environmental science, materials science, and cultural heritage.

What You Will Do
The Research Support Specialist I (RSSI) position contributes to the research mission of the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) by assisting with the development and maintenance of experimental facilities and equipment, and determining how to best achieve the necessary research objectives. This position shares responsibility for designing, developing, assembling, and commissioning specialized equipment; tracking and analyzing research data and instrument performance; writing and/or modifying computer programs and scripts; troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining specialized laboratory equipment; and providing technical support to researchers in the facility.

The RSSI will spend about 70% of their time throughout the year working on long-term projects and experimental upgrades – sometimes on individual projects, but often collaborating with other technical staff. Projects may involve any of the following:

• Ultra-high vacuum systems
• Integrating hardware and software
• Safety (including chemicals, lasers, radiation, electrical, robotics, hazardous material handling)
• Cryogenics
• Control systems
• Mechanical engineering – design, fabrication, assembly, testing
• Motion control
• Programming
• PLC design and programming
• Electronics
• Hands-on work (soldering, machining, troubleshooting mechanical systems, relocating laboratory equipment)

The other 30% of their time throughout the year will be spent providing direct support and oversight to our visiting researchers. The RSSI will work within a group of about ten other research support specialists to ensure there is a technical support staff member in the lab 24 hours a day when we are operating the facility for research; working some nights, weekends and holidays is required for this position.

What We Need
We ask you to submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements.

When reviewing your materials and evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• A Bachelor’s degree in a scientific of technical field (physical sciences or engineering preferred), and at least two years of practical experience, or an equivalent combination, is required. The experience should have involved a broad range of skills to support scientific research in a laboratory setting. This includes troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining equipment; hands-on design or assembly work; and data collection/analysis.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with people from varied backgrounds.
• A work history demonstrating strong motivation, reliability, and good judgement.
• Capable of adapting to the changing needs of a research environment.
• Work effectively and cooperatively within a team environment.
• A commitment to upholding and advancing laboratory safety practices and culture.
• Experience prioritizing multiple tasks/responsibilities and seeing it through to completion; demonstrated time management skills.

What We Prefer

Additionally, we would like to see evidence of:

Experience or familiarity with two or more of the following topics are preferred for this position:

• Working with ultra-high vacuum systems
• Servicing, maintaining, and troubleshooting cryogenic systems
• Assessing experimental procedures for chemical and/or biological hazards and applying controls that permit the safe execution of the procedures
• Linux, scripting languages such as bash and python, SPEC and EPICs control system software, and version control systems such as git and subversion
• Developing and maintaining IOC servers to support hardware and software components
• Writing technical documentation and/or standard operating procedures

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25 to January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

Important Notes about Applying

• Please submit both a cover letter and a resume to be considered for this position.
• The search committee will review applications as received and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.
• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

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