West Virginia University Looking for Engineering Scientist – Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Full Time

Description 

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources is seeking applications for an Engineering Scientist.  The incumbent will be responsible for supervising, coordinating and conducting field water sampling activities. The incumbent will also assist in the supervision of undergraduate and graduate students in conducting various laboratory and field project activities and the preparation of technical reports and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts.

In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:

• Assist in supervising undergraduate and graduate students in conducting various laboratory and field project activities. Assist students in preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts.
• Supervise, coordinate and conduct field water sampling activities. Incumbent is responsible for the appropriate preparation of sample containers and field instruments, collecting water samples in a field setting, and ensuring that all relevant university safety regulations are adhered to while students and staff are in the field.  Incumbent is responsible for maintaining detailed written notes and photographs of site conditions as part of the laboratory’s reporting procedures. Further, incumbent is responsible for ensuring adherence to quality control/quality assurance aspects of sample collection in the field. Finally, the incumbent is responsible for obtaining appropriate university transportation, scheduling undergraduate student workers and graduate research assistants to perform field collection activities, and coordinating logistics of field sampling activities with faculty and graduate students who perform laboratory assays. 
• Conduct and report the statistical analysis of data, and prepare GIS maps.
• Prepare technical reports detailing and/or summarizing study results.
• Coordinate and assist in quantitative laboratory analysis of environmental water quality parameters. Upon completion of field sampling activities, incumbent is responsible for scheduling student help in conducting laboratory water quality assays As required, the incumbent will deliver or have delivered water samples to the NRCCE laboratory for analysis.  Incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all laboratory data are entered into the research group’s computer.
• Order chemicals and reagents needed for the laboratory analysis of samples.
• Conduct literature search and help prepare grant proposals in relevant research areas.
• Perform routine maintenance on field and laboratory equipment. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining calibration and maintenance logs of all field meters (e.g., pH, conductivity, ultraviolet/visible light spectrophotometer, turbidity, water flow meters, atomic absorption spectroscopy) and is responsible for responsible for coordinating the repair of any malfunctioning instruments with external vendors and/or Departmental instrument technicians.

Qualifications 

Qualifications:  

• A B.S. degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related field.
• A M.S. degree is desirable but not necessary.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following: 
  • Experience in technical laboratories
  • Experience conducting water quality analysis

Abilities, skills, knowledge:

• Ability to conduct field water quality analyses
• Ability to interpret and employ US EPA approved water quality tests and those methods detailed in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
• Ability to prepare technical reports for State and Federal funding agencies
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and data base as part of data analysis and reporting requirements
• Effective writing and oral presentation skills
• Ability to generate technical reports

Requirements: 

• Valid US driver’s license – The incumbent is required to operate a vehicle when traveling to field sites to conduct sampling.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.