Senior Scientific Researcher

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Job Summary

Serve as a Co-Investigator and project lead for Simons Exobiology Carbonate project (Terrestrial analog studies of magnesium carbonates at Jezero Crater, Mars) and characterize magnesium carbonates and their geologic context on Earth in order to inform data and sample collection on Mars. Serve as a Co-Investigator for the Et-Then and Pethei carbonate research project to determine their petrogenesis in the context of early Earth history.

Essential Job Duties

• Collaborates with Principal Investigator(s) to determine direction of magnesite and carbonate sedimentology and petrology research projects.
• Coordinates experiments to study, investigate, test, and/or resolve scientific problems.
• Partners with research groups across disciplines (e.g., geochemistry, geology, planetary science) and/or organizations (Caltech, JPL, and University of Queensland) in developing and testing highly sophisticated data acquisition, engineering techniques, and systems and contributes to the development and design of experimental techniques.
• Conducts literature research; co-authors result and/or presents findings at meetings, scientific organizations, or conferences.
• Provides guidance and direction to graduate students, staff, and other researchers regarding direction of the project and interpretation of research result.
• Supervises summer research students visiting from other laboratories. Senior author on those publications.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs laboratory equipment and/or instruments, including Bruker M4 Tornado micro-XRF, Thermo Delta V Mass Spectrometer, Thermo Neptune Plus Mass Spectrometer, Leica petrographic microscopes, field equipment, low-T geochemistry equipment.
• Develops new techniques and sets up new or revised experimental/theoretical systems. Provides expert advice on use of these protocols and helps them be adapted for use in other laboratories.
• Writes proposals to obtain funding for novel new projects not currently run at Caltech. Innovation and creativity are essential.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• BS or higher in Geological Sciences.
• 6 years of relevant scientific research experience.
• Advanced technical/scientific expertise.
• Extensive research project experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD, Postdoctoral, and research experience in Geological and Geochemical Sciences.
• Expert in carbonate sedimentology, petrography, and geochemistry.
• Expert in organizing and executing field excursions to remote locations.
• Combine traditional tools in sedimentology/stratigraphy with diverse geochemical methods to understand how Earth's environment responds to and enables major biotic transitions.
• Field leader for studies in the U.S., Canada, Angola, and ODP cruises.
  
  

Required Documents

• Resume
  
  

Hiring Range

$78,190 to $145,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

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