Radiocarbon Technician

Overview:
The Radiocarbon Technician is primarily responsible for the offline preparation, extraction, and purification of carbon from aqueous, gaseous, and solid samples for radiocarbon analysis. The incumbent must be well versed in radioisotope theory and the geochemistry of dissolved inorganic carbon to utilize the necessary extraction methodology while avoiding contamination from modern carbon sources. The technician is responsible for operating an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) to characterize δ13C for calibration purposes. They must also correspond and collaborate with accelerated mass spectrometer (AMS) facilities for age-dating and data calibration. The incumbent will be an integral part of the EIL team to support additional analyses and technicians as needed, with a special focus on the preparation of organic samples for compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA).

**This position is contingent on funding.**

**Responsibilities**:
Radiocarbon sample preparation
- Administer extraction, purification, and preparation of carbon from various materials including liquids, solids, and gases utilizing a vacuum line, dry ice-ethanol, and liquid nitrogen cryogenic traps
- Utilize a comprehensive understanding of inorganic carbon geochemistry and the considerations necessary that are needed to extract and purify pristine carbon unadulterated by modern carbon sources
- Perform glass manipulation techniques including a natural gas/oxygen torch to separate and flame seal borosilicate and quartz glass break-seals

Primary Analytical Responsibilities
- Analyze prepared aliquots for δ13C via dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry (DI-IRMS) for reporting in addition to calibration of radiocarbon ages
Maintenance and operation of a Delta V-DI-IRMS - Dual Inlet Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (Thermo Finnigan / Bremen-Germany)

Additional Analytical Responsibilities
- Analyze the preparation of samples and standard materials for CSIA for chlorine stable isotopes (δ37Cl), for various chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Maintenance and operation of a Delta V-DI/CF/PT/GC - Dual Inlet, Continuous Flow Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CF-IRMS) (Thermo Finnigan / Bremen-Germany) coupled with an Agilent 7890 Gas Chromatograph (Agilent / Santa Clara-USA) with ATOMX Purge & Trap (Teledyne Tekmar /Mason-USA)

Casual Help/Student Supervision and Training
- Help to supervise the safety training of staff, students and visiting fellows working in the lab focusing building awareness of the dangerous chemicals utilized as well as the various locations of safety gear available in the lab
- Assist undergraduate and graduate students with all aspects of analytical work. This includes teaching students analytical methods, supervising of students, on machinery and wet chemistry procedures and providing advice and help with interpretation of analytical data used in their research projects

Qualifications:

- Undergraduate Degree in a Science-related field required
- 3 years’ experience working in a general lab setting
- Experience working in a stable isotope lab preferred
- Experience with different types of analytical sample preparation techniques: SPME, TD and P&T preferred
- Knowledge of DIC water extraction and break-seal combustion for AMS sample preparation
- Effectively manage multiple priorities and exercise independent, prudent judgement
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Intermediate MS Word and Excel

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.