The SETI Institute is seeking a Research Associate to work on a number of different laboratory based projects. The goal of these projects is to understand chemical processes that were important to the chemistry, origin of life, origin of photosynthesis, and habitability of early terrestrial planets. Specific laboratory projects include: modeling the chemistry of the early Martian atmosphere; understanding the chemistry of photosynthesis and how it may have given rise to protocellular life; and the measurement of how abiotic reactions may have fractionated the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen.

The mission of the SETI Institute is to explore, understand and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe. It is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to scientific research, education, and public outreach. Founded in 1984, the Institute today employs over 140 scientists, educators and support staff.

Qualifications/Required skills:

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferable) or in a chemically focused area of Biology or Geology. The qualified individual’s thesis project should be comprised of a significant amount of laboratory work. Ideally, candidates have done their thesis work on a problem that involved the handling of liquids and gas phases and/or samples and analysis by standard chemical techniques (such as GC/MS, FTIR, etc.) A Postdoc who is interested in working on diverse projects is desirable.

Responsibilities:

The Research Associate, working in concert with the principal investigator, formulates, develops, and implements new experiments and analyses the data from such experiments. This will include reactions to be run, protocols for such reactions, methods of analysis, and methods of data analysis.

He/she might supervise a laboratory intern who assists in the performance of the preceding tasks and lab maintenance. This may include training in procedures and methods.

He/she will support and participate in the interpretation of laboratory findings and their preparation for publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Preferred skills:

Experience in projects that involve the running of reactions to simulate the natural environment or to create systems that represent a proof-of-concept of processes that may have occurred in the natural environment.

Special Requirements:

The SETI Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Apply online now

Or fax resume and cover letter to: 650-961-7099

Open until filled.

To apply by mail, send your CV and cover letter to:

SETI Institute
Attention: Human Resources
515 Whisman Road
Mountain View, CA 94043