SODCO Technical Support Supervisor

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Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is dedicated to uncovering Earth's history through the study of ocean floor sediments and rocks. Our numerous seagoing expeditions aboard the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution (JR), conducted on behalf of the National Science Foundation (NSF), have enabled researchers to gather invaluable core samples from around the world.

Following the recent demobilization of the JR, Texas A&M University has been entrusted by the NSF to establish an instrumented Gulf Coast Repository (GCR), utilizing the advanced instrumentation from the JR. As we anticipate the award of the Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO), IODP is gearing up to coordinate and manage future drilling activities. Our mission includes collecting subseafloor samples, conducting subseafloor measurements, and installing long-term borehole observatories to advance our understanding of Earth's processes.

What We Want

We are seeking a Research Specialist V (SODCO Technical Support Supervisor) to manage SODCO technical and analytical support personnel and requirements. This role includes overseeing laboratory and office container configurations on platforms, managing mobilization/demobilization and logistical services, coordinating with GCR leadership for analytical and personnel support, and acting as a lab officer to supervise technical support staff and services at sea.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in earth sciences or a relevant field, along with twelve years of professional experience working with scientific analytical equipment. An advanced degree in earth sciences or a related field may count towards experience requirements: ten years with a Master's degree or eight years with a PhD. The candidate should have operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities, including the operation and maintenance of instrumentation for measuring geologic core physical properties, geochemistry, microbiologic sample handling, and microscopy. Experience with logistics, working effectively with scientists, and scientific ocean drilling is essential. A background in geological sciences or oceanography is preferred.

What You Need To Know

Compensation will be commensurate to the selected hire’s experience.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in earth sciences or relevant field.

• Twelve years of relevant professional experience in working with scientific analytical equipment. (An advanced degree in earth sciences or related field may count towards experience requirements: ten years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree or eight years with a PhD.)

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Ability to obtain passport and international visas on a continuing basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently, multitask, and to lead a team.

• Must be able to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with various groups, demonstrating excellent teamwork, leadership, and displaying a service-oriented attitude in all interactions.

• Ensures strong team approach to service deliverables through routine team building, training, and interactions.

• Experience with management of shipboard laboratories.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working operational knowledge of geologic laboratory facilities, including operation and maintenance of instrumentation related to measuring geologic core physical properties, geochemistry, microbiologic sample handling, and microscopy.

• Experience with logistics.

• Experience working effectively with scientists.

• Experience with scientific ocean drilling.

• Background in geological sciences or oceanography.

Responsibilities

• SODCO Technical Support - Responsible for providing outstanding technical and analytical support to plan and implement expeditions on mission specific platforms (MSP). Between expeditions, ensure containers and their infrastructure and installed support equipment are maintained, repaired, and readied for the next expedition. Establish and ensure adherence to safe laboratory procedures in mobile containers, including any training requirements are defined and met. Work with the SODCO expedition project team to define technical and analytical support requirements and procure for each expedition. Coordinate with GCR management to identify necessary support personnel for expeditions and to ensure analytical requirements and related equipment and supplies are defined and ready for shipping deadlines. Interfaces with IT supervisor and SODCO IT personnel to ensure support requirements are identified and met. Acts as the Lab Officer overseeing technical, IT, and analytical support during the expedition.

• SODCO Mobilization & Logistical Support - Responsible for overseeing SODCO mobilization and demobilization activities and routine shipping and receiving. This includes mobilization of instrumentation from the GCR to containers, containers are shipped to port, installed on platforms, and then demobilized at the end of the expedition. Ensures all hardware and supplies are shipped to port and cores, samples, and unused supplies and hardware are shipped from port to TAMU, or to investigators, as appropriate, after the expedition. Oversees routine shore based shipping and receiving activities.

• Supervision and Administration - Supervision: Supervises SODCO technical and logistics staff, including one senior technician, one chemistry technician, one marine instrumentation specialist, and one mobilization and logistic specialist. Hires and trains new employees, and mentors existing employees. Completes annual employee performance evaluations. Financial management: Assists with SODCO and expedition specific budget preparations, program plans, spending plan forecasts, and cost documentation as required. Ensures all necessary technical support procurements are made for each expedition. Policies: Understands, complies and administers all pertinent SOD, TAMU, TAMRF/TAMUS, state and federal policies.

Other Requirements and Factors

• This position is required to sail, which will require passing a routine medical exam (typically every two years).

• This position is security sensitive.

• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.

• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.

• This position allows alternate work location per TAMU guidelines.

• This position will direct and/or evaluate the work of others.

• This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.