Lab Manager

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences is looking to hire a lab manager for a cluster of microscopic imaging and analytical systems plus a trace-metal clean lab. The mass spectrometry lab includes a Sapphire XD MC-ICP-MS with an ESL 193nm excimer laser system, a Thermo Element II ICP-MS, and an iCAP TQ-ICP-MS. The microscopic lab is equipped with a JEOL IT200-LA SEM and Keyence VHX-1 digital microscope.

We seek a highly motivated individual with a strong background in geochronology, geochemistry, and ICP-MS instrumentation. The Lab Manager will play a central role in shaping analytical capabilities and advancing high-impact planetary/Earth science research.

This is a three-year appointment, with a proposed start date of May 1, 2026 (negotiable). Reappointment may be possible, contingent on the availability of funding.

The manager will receive:

• A salary of $72,000-$76,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan; and paid time off.
• Relocation reimbursement of up to $1,500 with receipts provided
• Funds for attending at least one conference per year
• An office desktop with the necessary software
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary research opportunities at Rice University and in Greater Houston

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, your CV, and the names and contact information for three references. To be considered as a candidate, you must apply via the Rice job posting. Please do not send application materials via email. Evaluation of applications will begin immediately after posting. For questions, please contact Dr. Cin-Ty Lee ( ctlee@rice.edu ) and Dr. Bidong Zhang ( bidong@rice.edu ).

Workplace Requirements:

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

This position is funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

Hiring Range: This position offers a salary of $72,000-$76,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Two or more (2+) years of related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Skills
  • Demonstrated expertise in ICP-MS and/or isotope ratio mass spectrometry
  • Strong background in geochronology or isotope geochemistry
  • Skilled in analytical method development
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills

• Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in geology, geochemistry, chemistry or related field.
• Preference will be given to those who have the following experience and skillset:
  • Experience with ICP-MS method development
  • Experience with collision-reaction-cell and mass-filter technologies
  • Experience working with extraterrestrial materials
  • Experience in clean laboratory protocols
  • Demonstrated success publishing peer-reviewed research

Essential Functions:

• Developing and optimizing laser probe-based radiometric dating techniques
• Establishing analytical protocols for LA-(MC)-ICP-MS isotope measurements
• Managing laboratory operations, including day-to-day activities and long-term planning
• Maintaining and troubleshooting mass spectrometry and microscope instrumentation, along with broader laboratory equipment and facilities
• Managing laboratory procedures, procurement of supplies, and budget tracking
• Ensuring laboratory safety, compliance, and organization
• Training and mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
• Contributing to scholarly publications and conference presentations
• Supporting collaborations within Rice University and external institutions
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.