Chemical laboratory assistant / Chemical technical assistant

Current climate and environmental changes have particularly dramatic effects on the permafrost regions of the earth. The warming of the Arctic is leading to warming and thawing of permafrost in many regions, thus changing an important component of Arctic ecosystems. The Permafrost Research Section of the AWI (

) at the Potsdam Research Unit investigates the soils and sediments of the Arctic, some of which have been frozen for thousands of years. We aim to better quantify the effects of the changes on sedimentological and biogeochemical dynamics. With our laboratory analyses we focus on the detailed characterisation of permafrost deposits in order to assess past and present conditions and to derive predictions for future processes.

You will organise and coordinate general laboratory operations in the fields of carbon and nitrogen analysis and sedimentology and carry out laboratory measurements on sediment and organic samples. The main focus will be the measurements as well as the preparation of permafrost and lake sediment samples in routine operation of the two above mentioned fields.

Tasks

• organisation of personnel and technical routines for the laboratory work
• electronic ordering of consumables and laboratory chemicals
• biogeochemical analyses of soil and sediment samples (extraction of lipid biomarkers, separation of fractions, gas chromatography and elemental analysis (C,N))
• sedimentological analysis of sediment samples (freeze-drying, sample division, particle size analysis, mass-specific magnetic susceptibility)
• sample preparation for external analysis (heavy minerals, nitrogen and carbon isotopes, clay minerals)
• quality control of the above mentioned analyses
• instruction of the trainees, students, guest scientists and employees working in the laboratories in the safety rules
• maintenance and if possible repair of the laboratory equipment

The laboratories "Permafrost Carbon and Nitrogen" (Head: Dr. Jens Strauss) and "Permafrost Sedimentology" (Head: Dr. Lutz Schirrmeister) in Potsdam have, in addition to various devices for sample preparation, the following equipment: VARIO-EL-III and soliTOC for CN elemental analysis, an accelerated solvent extractor, rocket evaporator, TurboVap, high-pressure liquid chromatograph, gas chromatography mass spectrometer for lipid biomarker analysis and particle size measuring devices (laser, sonic sifter, sieve shaker). In the future incubation cabinets including gas chromatograph will be purchased.

Requirements

• successfully completed training as a chemical technical assistant (CTA) or comparable qualification
• practical experience in geochemical analysis with focus on gas chromatography and elemental analysis
• experience in the coordination and execution of general laboratory organisation and laboratory work including quality assurance, data management and archiving
• careful and independent working ability, as well as teamwork, reliability, ability to work under pressure and organisational skills
• very good knowledge of the German language
• willingness to participate in business trips and expeditions to the polar regions

Additional skills and knowledge (beneficial)

• practical experience in soil and sediment analysis with focus on sample preparation, particle analysis and biogeochemical analysis
• Knowledge in handling hazardous substances (acids, organic solvents)
• willingness to learn new methods and equipment and for in-house and external training
• experience in the laboratory supervision of students (doctoral candidates, student theses, student assistants, interns) and guest scientists.
• willingness to supervise trainees (AEVO certificate or similar qualification)
• good knowledge of the English language
• drivers license (car, class B)

Further Information

For further information please contact Dr. Jens Strauss (
; +49(331)288-2185). This is a full-time position. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund) up to salary level

9a
. The place of employment will be
Potsdam
.

This characterizes us

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that.
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility.
• exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure.

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy and we encourage women to apply.
Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.

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