Director, National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facilities (NOSAMS)

Job Summary

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Director of the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Facility (NOSAMS) to join the Geology & Geophysics Department. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position, and is eligible for full benefits.

Applications are invited for the position of Director of the National Ocean Sciences Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (NOSAMS) facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (http://www.nosams.whoi.edu/). Applicants should have achieved international recognition for outstanding scholarship, and professional stature suitable for appointment to the tenured scientific staff at WHOI, as well as possess significant leadership and managerial skills.

The NOSAMS facility was established in 1989, with a principal goal of providing high quality radiocarbon (14C) AMS measurements and expertise to the Ocean Sciences Community. It currently has a staff of approximately 17 individuals with an annual budget of approximately $3.7M. The facility has been partially funded through 5-year cooperative agreements with the U.S. National Science Foundation, with ~60% of the operating costs covered by user fees from NOSAMS clients.    

NOSAMS occupies a dedicated 1,100 square meter facility which houses two accelerator mass spectrometry systems, two duel-inlet stable isotope mass spectrometers and a sample preparation laboratory. The facility is equipped to handle a wide variety of sample types including water, carbonates, bones, gas, and organic carbon, using conventional and specialized techniques that include compound specific radiocarbon measurements and ramped pyrolysis and oxidation extractions for complex organic mixtures.  One of the AMS systems was specifically designed in-house for the analysis of 14C in a continuously flowing gas stream. Significantly, NOSAMS has ordered a new state-of-the-art Ion Plus AMS system for high precision radiocarbon measurements and versatile interfacing to gas handling devices. The new Director will be responsible for the successful integration of the new AMS system and for maximizing and streamlining efficient operations.

The successful candidate will be expected to use the present high level of expertise in radiocarbon technology at NOSAMS as a basis for further development of radiocarbon research, and exercise scientific leadership in building new research areas. Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to provide leadership in management of the facility and staff, in maintaining a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and in maintaining and growing a strong external funding base.  As a tenured member of the WHOI scientific staff, the successful candidate will be expected to raise a significant part of their own support through an externally funded research program. Opportunities for teaching and advising students will be available through the MIT-WHOI Joint Program. An appointment to the Scientific Staff is made with the expectation that the individual will work for the Institution on a full-time, year-round basis. A member of the Scientific Staff shall not normally hold a full-time position at another institution or any other formal employment or consulting that requires an excess of one-sixth of their time per year. Any proposed change in this status requires review of the employment arrangement and approval by the Deputy Director and Vice President for Research, and in some cases, approval by the President and Director is sought if further oversight is needed.

Essential Functions

• Identify long-term scientific and technical goals for the facility and provide leadership to the NOSAMS team in planning and executing these goals.
• Interact with the scientific community and potential users to promote and enhance NOSAMS capabilities, with the overall goal of providing the highest quality radiocarbon measurements and expertise to the Ocean and Earth Sciences community.
• Plan finances, develop funding requests and proposals, and ensure the financial stability of the NOSAMS operation.
• Manage personnel to ensure efficient and high-quality operations, integrating these into the Institutional organization.
• Promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that has a strong commitment to teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication.
• Interact with National Science Foundation personnel and the NOSAMS Advisory Board to ensure alignment of mission.
• Maintain an overview of radiocarbon measurement capabilities, procedures, and data quality.
• Promote education and outreach activities within NOSAMS.
• Conduct independent radiocarbon-related research.

Education & Experience

• PhD in oceanography or related field, with proven expertise in radiocarbon research.
• Proven track record of raising funding for research activities. Significant experience managing a complex laboratory facility. Successful experience managing and mentoring staff.

Special Requirements

Please visit http://careers.whoi.edu and respond to Job ID 2021-1421. Applicants should upload to the appropriate application fields a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), three-page research statement, names of four references (please include in your cover letter or add a new cover letter labeled respectively), copies of up to three relevant publications, and an up to one-page statement that speaks to past and/or potential contributions to and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion (please upload as a separate cover letter in the cover letter field in the application).   Please direct any inquiries about this position directly to Dr. Robert Evans at revans@whoi.edu. 

The review of applications will begin around May 1, 2021.  

Physical Requirements

Further details of the physical requirements, if any, of established essential functions for this position will be addressed during the interview process.