Primary Purpose: This specialist position has responsibility for enabling research, teaching, and development for all researchers using the Mass Spectrometry (MS) suite of instruments at the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC). This specialist will be a member of the Department of Chemistry working in partnership with the SSSC. As a specialist in vacuum technology and ion optics, training will be provided to serve as a secondary specialist in the SSSC Surface Science Suite, with an emphasis on X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). As manager of the MS suite, maintenance, operational management, and execution of MS service and research duties will be the primary duties. Current equipment in the SSSC includes four mass spectrometers (MALDI-Q-TOF, LC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, LC-TOF, and GC-TOF), all of which may need to be operated in a variety of modes, depending on experimental needs. New mass spectrometry instrumentation can reasonably be anticipated to be brought into the SSSC over the lifetime of the position, and the Research Officer will need to become rapidly proficient at working with and providing maintenance for new instrumentation.
Nature of Work: While this position will work in the SSSC alongside a team of scientists who manage other suites of research instruments, it is expected to be mostly self-directed, independent, and self-sufficient. New situations, challenges and problems arise daily, and they are expected to be solved with minimal supervision. Administrative reporting is formally to the Department Head, although day-to-day reporting will be seconded to the SSSC management.
Mass spectrometry research and analytical services are provided daily. This involves performing measurements tailored to researchers’ needs, discussing experimental design with researchers, developing scientific methodology for analysis, and training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Mass spectrometry equipment in the undergraduate chemistry laboratories will also be supported as needed.
Instruments are maintained on a regular basis. Some maintenance tasks are required daily, weekly, or monthly. Instruments are diagnosed and repaired when issues arise, with remote support from service engineers when needed. Most repairs are done in-house by SSSC staff. Maintenance beyond routine tuning and operation includes, but is not limited to, servicing vacuum pumps, monitoring laboratory cooling systems, maintaining up-to-date instrument software, and carrying out duties required by all suite managers in the SSSC.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities
- Provides state-of-the-art mass spectrometry services for students, faculty, and other researchers.
- Carries out mass spectrometry measurements for researchers when required.
- Assists with data interpretation.
- Ensures mass spectrometers are working up to specifications.
- Designs experiments to state-of-the-art research standards by discussing ideas with the researchers and consulting literature and other technical experts.
- Maintains technical and scientific knowledge to keep up with researchers’ needs.
- Coordinates instrument time for users.
- Assists with gathering technical information for grant applications, obtaining quotes from vendors, and attending on-site equipment demonstrations.
- Provides help to department members and the undergraduate teaching laboratories with their equipment such as liquid chromatographs, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers.
- Directs researchers to resources on campus.
- Maintains confidentiality as required.
- Maintains an effective and collaborative relationship with all researchers across campus.
- Requests pricing quotations for parts required for maintenance.
- Minimizes costs for the operation and maintenance of instruments.
- Enters billing information into administrative software.
- Maintains a secondary account ledger for yearly expenses in the MS laboratory.
- Orders supplies and consumables for the mass spectrometry laboratory.
- Maintains a safe working environment, teaches proper safety and instrument-handling procedures, and ensures protocols are followed.
- Routinely verifies that data are transferred to researchers through the University datastore.
Education: A minimum of a graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in science or engineering.
Experience: Several years of experience in research involving mass spectrometry and analytical instrumentation.
Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of mass spectrometry instrumentation, including a solid understanding of technical concepts, experience with instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, and familiarity with multiple chromatography techniques (e.g. HPLC, GC, etc.), ionization methods (MALDI, ESI, EI, and field desorption), and mass spectrometry techniques, including experience with single and tandem MS.
- Ability to learn and adapt to new software packages relevant to the position as they become available.
- Skills in electronics and mechanical systems relevant to mass spectrometry are essential, particularly vacuum technology.
- Proactive, independent, and strong problem solver.
- Strong one-on-one communicator with the ability to discuss projects with various researchers.
- Professional, accountable, flexible, and able to meet priorities and deadlines.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to [email protected].
Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and employment references.
Department: Chemistry
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 6/19/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.
