Instrumentation Specialist

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

Texas A&M University’s Biology Department is seeking an Instrumentation Specialist to provide maintenance, repair, modification, and calibration of departmental biological laboratory instrumentation. The Instrumentation Specialist will troubleshoot and oversee repairs of research and teaching laboratory equipment and provide training to faculty, staff, and students as needed.

Opportunities to Contribute

• Test, evaluate, and troubleshoot teaching and research laboratory instrumentation and systems, including electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, plumbing, vacuum, alarm, environmental control, and −20°C/−80°C refrigeration units.

• Repair non‑functional laboratory instrumentation and systems and determine the feasibility of repair versus the need for replacement.

• Perform routine maintenance on a wide variety of scientific teaching and research equipment, including autoclaves, incubators, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, balances, shakers, electrophoresis power supplies, water baths, liquid scintillation counters, spectrophotometers, printers, and −20°C/−80°C refrigeration units.

• Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance on scientific teaching and research equipment to ensure proper operation, reliability, and compliance with manufacturer recommendations.

• Serve as the primary contact for all departmental autoclaves, coordinating preventive maintenance and repairs, conducting sterile indicator testing, analyzing results, and resolving operational issues.

• Advise faculty and staff on the proper operation, maintenance, and care of scientific laboratory instrumentation.

• Commission, install, and calibrate new laboratory instrumentation in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

• Design and fabricate special‑purpose laboratory equipment to meet specific research or teaching needs as requested by faculty and staff.

• Perform miscellaneous building and office maintenance tasks, including hanging shelves and pictures, repairing locks, and maintaining office equipment.

• Maintain accurate records by entering work orders, managing computerized preventive maintenance schedules, and continuously updating reference materials, repair documentation, and supply catalogs.

• Maintain inventory of parts and supplies, including ordering replacement parts as needed.

• Supervise and train entry‑level technicians in the preventive maintenance of scientific instrumentation and research equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent combination of training and experience

• Five years of experience in operating and maintaining scientific instrumentation

• Must be able to use and move the equipment required in essential duties.

• Must be able to maneuver around equipment and through labs.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

• Experience with scientific instrumentation or equivalent field.

• Good manual dexterity, good color vision and good hearing.

• Ability to lift moderately heavy objects, ability to exert heavy force.

A well-qualified candidate for this position will also possess:

• Two years in Bio-Medical electronics and instrumentation repair.

• High level comprehension of scientific fields.

• Extremely adaptable to a wide variety of maintenance conditions.

• Knowledge of computers and interfaces.

• Skills with electromechanical equipment and hand tools.

• Refrigeration repair experience/certification.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience.

What you need to do

Apply! Submitting a cover letter, CV/Resume to assist us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume. 

Why Texas A&M University? 

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.   

The Department of Biology at Texas A&M University is responsible for research and teaching within the vast disciplines of the biological sciences, from molecular cell biology to ecology and evolutionary biology. Our faculty perform cutting-edge research in a wide array of biological sciences in the laboratory and in the field. Our graduate research programs prepare scientists for careers in academia, industry and government and enhance our understanding of the central role of biological systems in the global environment. Our undergraduate students gain a firm foundation in modern biological sciences to prepare them for a multitude of careers that depend on a solid understanding of biology. To learn more, please visit us at https://www.bio.tamu.edu/.

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.  

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, 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 

• Automatic 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  

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee 

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees 

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 prepopulate the online application.