About the role
Overview
The Laboratory Manager will manage Silicate’s geochemistry laboratory at NovaUCD, Dublin, Ireland. This facility provides in-house analytical capacity to the company’s enhanced weathering science team. The laboratory includes a custom autotitrator for automated analysis of pH, electrical conductivity and total alkalinity of aqueous samples, and an ion chromatograph for measurement of aqueous anions. It also includes a range of soil and aqueous sample preparation equipment (oven, fridges, shaker).
Role
The Laboratory Manager will carry out sample preparation and analyses for the science team, maintain and calibrate analytical equipment, order supplies, manage a database of sample analyses, ensure QA/QC across all analytical methods, train staff to operate the equipment, write and update standard operating procedures and risk assessments, and ensure that the laboratory meets health and safety standards.
Requirements
Key responsibilities
* Carry out soil and soil-water sample preparation and analysis
* Develop and maintain record keeping protocols suitable for a high sample throughput laboratory
* Maintain, operate, and calibrate a suite of analytical equipment
* Train staff to use analytical equipment
* Maintain a database of sample analyses
* Ensure QA/QC across all analytical instruments
* Order supplies and maintaining a supply inventory
* Engage with equipment suppliers and maintenance teams
* Write and update standard operating procedures and risk assessments
* Maintain laboratory health and safety standards
* Participate in the processing and interpretation of geochemical data in collaboration with the science team
Required qualifications and attributes
* PhD in relevant branch of the natural sciences (e.g., soil biogeochemistry, low-temperature geochemistry, soil science, hydrochemistry, geosciences), or BSc/MSc with 2+ years of relevant experience
* Demonstrated training and experience working in a wet and/or geochemistry laboratory
* Excellent data management skills
* Excellent communication skills
* Adaptability and ability to work flexibly in a dynamic environment
* Experience with analytical equipment software, especially chromatography software is an advantage
While we are looking for someone with these skills, you do not need to have all of the listed qualifications to be a brilliant addition to our team. If you have not worked on this specific research topic, but feel that your expertise could help us to push the frontier of this breakthrough carbon dioxide removal research, please consider applying.
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is competitive and will depend on many factors including experience, education, and expertise. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package with generous employee share options, health insurance and pension contributions.
Diversity and inclusion
We are looking for people from diverse backgrounds who can bring many unique skills, perspectives and mindsets to our company. With your help, we are trying to build a workplace where people feel respected, ideas are encouraged, and original thinking is the norm. Research suggests that qualified people from historically marginalised groups may self-select out of opportunities if they feel they do not meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive in this role to apply. We especially welcome applications from female candidates.
About Silicate
Silicate is a terrestrial enhanced weathering company accelerating a natural geological process—the weathering of minerals—to durably sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide and amend soil pH in farmland. The company mills basic materials, applies them to farmland, and measures the carbon removal it enables, facilitating companies to achieve their net zero ambitions, and agribusinesses to reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions in their value chain, while also helping farmers to increase productivity by optimising soil pH for crop growth. Silicate is a Breakthrough Energy Fellows innovator fellow, an XPRIZE Carbon Removal Top 20 team, and is headquartered in Ireland with operations in Ireland and Illinois, US.
You can read about us in:
The Irish Times
The Times
Northwestern University
The Chicago Tribune
New Scientist
RTÉ
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