Location: Syracuse, NY
Category: Professional
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Fri Jul 17 2026
Job Description:
Title: Instructional Support Specialist (NMR Specialist)
Unit: Analytical and Technical Services
Professional Rank and Salary: SL 4, $70,000 to $85,000 DOQ
Location: Syracuse
About Analytical and Technical Services Unit:
The mission of Analytical and Technical Services (A&TS) is to provide specialized, customer-focused, value-added support services that support the College's instruction, research and public service agenda. Services include instrumental analytical methods, scientific equipment and chemical/laboratory apparatus stockroom services. The A&TS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy facilities include a Bruker AVANCE HD 800 MHz NMR and a Bruker AVANCE 600 MHz NMR. These instruments are available for College research projects and instruction, as well as external academic and industrial customers, including nearby research teams at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse University, and Cornell University. Additional information is available at https://www.esf.edu/ats/.
Description of Duties:
- The NMR Specialist will operate, maintain, repair, support and teach about the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility within the Analytical and Technical Services (A&TS) unit. The Specialist will work with ESF faculty, ESF students, A&TS professional staff, members of outside academic institutions, medical centers, research laboratories, local industries, and the greater scientific community in supplying assigned spectrometric information. As supervisor of the NMR facility, the Specialist will:
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Operate NMR instruments, including design and planning of experiments, method development, analysis, interpretation, and training.
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Develop and implement a sophisticated maintenance program, including instrument calibration, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs of NMR systems. Coordinate with and schedule preventive maintenance or repairs by qualified service technicians.
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Perform cryogen fills, order lab consumables, and arrange for proper disposal of lab wastes.
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Manage, interpret, and evaluate complex data, provide written reports, generate and analyze data using scientific and statistical techniques.
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Maintain contemporary knowledge of new techniques though literature review and formal training.
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Advise on instrumentation and lab usage, manage schedule and set priorities for the proper utilization of the instrumentation. Maintain and submit monthly utilization records for service billing.
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Supervise the activities of temporary student assistants, graduate students, or faculty in the safe operation of the facilities.
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Follow laboratory hygiene. Maintain a clean, organized working environment. Perform housekeeping duties as required. Manage the laboratory waste. Perform all work activities in a safe and timely manner. Proactively identify safety related items and initiate appropriate actions. Participate in safety audits and safety meetings.
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Collaborate with researchers in the design and conduct of sophisticated experiments.
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Assist in the development of recommendations and proposals for equipment and laboratory improvements.
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Support instructional activities of ESF faculty. Train and supervise students, instructors, and researchers to be qualified operators.
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Work with Director of A&TS to promote use of A&TS facilities, including soliciting new research partnerships.
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Create a supportive customer-focused atmosphere. Maintain a collaborative working relationship with ESF staff, faculty, and students.
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Perform other duties as directed.
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or relevant field.
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Three years of relevant operational experience in analytical laboratory with High Field Bruker NMR, or similar equipment.
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A strong theoretical knowledge of analytical characterization techniques as well as practical, hands-on experience. Experience with sampling and experimental techniques and statistical data analysis.
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Effective written and oral communication skills as evidenced by authorship of publications, manuals, reports, grant proposals, conference presentations or seminar leadership
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Perform manual labor tasks required for daily lab operations. Able to safely lift and manipulate up to 50 pounds, climb stairs, move gas cylinders, move liquid nitrogen/helium dewars, and use hand and power tools. Able to work in strong magnetic field environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision
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Ability to create and maintain collaborative relationships with customers
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M.S. Chemistry or related field
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Supervision of student workers in academic setting.
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Knowledge of pedagogical practices or training on analytical instrumentation
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Functional knowledge of MS365 including Teams and data management practices
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Written communication skills, including preparation of proposals and technical reports
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Ability to develop and support a collegial lab environment for users
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Experience with cost and revenue analysis
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or relevant field.
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Continuing education and training certifications.
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Experienced using statistical software and MS Office suite
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Supervisory experience as evidenced by increased responsibility for supervising small teams, or leading research efforts
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College-level teaching experience
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Budget management experience as evidenced by budget development, cost control, inventory management
Personal Attributes
- Must be self-motivated, organized, detail oriented, and capable of routinely working in a high throughput laboratory environment.
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Mechanical aptitude and ability to learn to assemble, operate, and troubleshoot analytical laboratory equipment.
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Work effectively with others and demonstrate a positive teamwork approach.
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Able to read and apply the information presented in professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Additional Information:
About the College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School:
ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and the Ranger School is a regional campus of ESF where the College's Associate degree programs are delivered. With an annual enrollment of 50-60 students living in residence during the academic year, a close-knit community of learners, faculty, and staff work together to accomplish a field-intensive learning experience. Ranger School education occurs on the 2,800-acre Dubuar Memorial Forest and adjacent state preserve lands. Located inside the Adirondack Park, numerous opportunities exist for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach.
Located in southern St. Lawrence County, Wanakena is a small community of less than 100 year-round residents and a vibrant summer community of several hundred, located on the upper reaches of Cranberry Lake at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River. Cultural events occur throughout the summer at Wanakena's Z-Park, and Otto's Abode offers fresh produce and other groceries, camping supplies, and other needs. Wanakena is located midway between the larger towns of Star Lake and Cranberry Lake, with access to medical services, fire and emergency services, gas and convenience stores. Larger towns including access to grocery stores, big box stores, university services and more are within a 1.5 hour drive of Wanakena.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected]
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/
SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/au/documents/ESF Tobacco Free.pdf
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse community that promotes equity and inclusion for all its members. Diversity that arises from differences such as, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or religious traditions is central and indispensable to the institutional excellence and mission of the College.
ESF is actively recruiting diverse faculty of all backgrounds. In efforts and our commitment to the goal of building a diverse workforce we are participating in PRODiG. PRODiG ("Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth") aims to increase the representation of historically underrepresented faculty at SUNY including underrepresented minority ("URM") faculty in general and women faculty of all races in STEM fields ("WSTEM"). https://www.suny.edu/prodig/
SUNY-ESF is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
