I found myself re-reading the posting: The quote from the link offered by Jon is the sole statement that can be interpreted as allowing the candidate some level of creativity in this position.
At NIST it is a very rare scientist that is not quite competent at using a screwdriver. I see no correlation between this position and that of a beam line scientist who, as best I can tell, play an active role in the design and commissioning of the custom equipment they use/provide. This facility includes (quite nice) commercial equipment only. Yes, it would not be impossible for someone to make something out of this; but there is nothing in the link that would imply that they will be empowered to perform any kind of creative, PI caliber science: " Schedule XRD usage and establish and enforce user policies that maintain an orderly, clean and safe laboratory." No thanks. When I was in grad school, a master's degree implied high level of competence in a particular experimental technique, like powder diffraction. A PhD, however, empowered one to do some real science. Best, Jim James P. Cline Materials Measurement Science Division National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Dr. stop 8520 [ B113 / Bldg 217 ] Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8523 USA jcl...@nist.gov (301) 975 5793 FAX (301) 975 5334 -----Original Message----- From: rietveld_l-requ...@ill.fr [mailto:rietveld_l-requ...@ill.fr] On Behalf Of Simon Redfern Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 5:25 AM To: rietveld_l@ill.fr Subject: Re: X-ray diffraction laboratory manager position Exactly so, Jon. This is the sort of job that a good candidate can make much of. I don't think it is described as a technician anywhere in the advertisement, but in any case, technical support jobs may require a high degree of training and education, so that in itself is not a discriminator. There are technicians and technicians, just as there are engineers and engineers. Our X-ray lab manager has a PhD, is a skilled crystallographer, and deals with: instrument maintenance and support, new instrument planning, data analysis, interpretation, and scientific support to users who may not be expert. The role covers tuition to graduate students and outside users. It extends to scheduling, financial management, and reporting, and to contributions and authorship on some of the scientific papers that come out of the work of the lab. In many ways the role has similarities to a beam line scientist at a large scale facility, but with more reasonable working shift patterns (our X-ray lab manager actually also helps out in synchrotron and neutron campaigns). Could beam line scientists be described as lab technicians? Not if you hope to return and get help with your next synchrotron/neutron experiment! My observation is that for a proactive individual, this sort of position may offer significant scientific opportunities that extend well beyond wielding a screwdriver. Simon Redfern Professor of Mineral Physics Department of Earth Sciences University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge CB2 3EQ UK w +441223333475 m +447530312963 f +441223333450 On 6 Dec 2013, at 08:32, Jonathan WRIGHT wrote: > Did I click on the right link? The second point says: > > "Develop new experimental approaches and measurement routines as > required by a growing user base." > > It doesn't sound so bad, unless the candidate can't think of any novel > experimental techniques to invent. > > Jon > > > On 05/12/2013 19:02, Cline, James Dr. wrote: >> Here is a position that looks a lot like what could be described as a >> lab technician (no science anyway) and yet they require a PhD??? >> >> How could anyone recommend a specialization in the powder diffraction >> technique if this is all that is available? >> >> I find this very disconcerting. >> >> Jim >> >> >> James P. Cline Materials Measurement Science Division National >> Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Dr. stop 8520 [ B113 >> / Bldg 217 ] Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8523 USA jcl...@nist.gov (301) >> 975 5793 FAX (301) 975 5334 >> >> -----Original Message----- From: rietveld_l-requ...@ill.fr >> [mailto:rietveld_l-requ...@ill.fr] On Behalf Of Suchomel, Matthew R. >> Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 7:56 PM To: rietveld_l@ill.fr >> Subject: Fwd: X-ray diffraction laboratory manager position >> >> Dear Colleagues >> >> On behalf of Prof. Jacob Jones, I am passing along the link below for >> an open position of X-ray diffraction laboratory manager position at >> North Carolina State University which may be of interest to someone >> in our community. >> >> . X-ray diffraction laboratory manager: >> https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/30892 >> >> >> >> On Nov 27, 2013, at 14:46 , Jacob Jones <jljon...@ncsu.edu> wrote: >> >> The Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) at North Carolina State >> University is now seeking to fill multiple staff and postdoctoral >> positions in the areas of electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. >> Positions are detailed in the links provided below. We are looking to >> hire as soon as possible, but our first priority is finding the best >> candidates to fill these positions. Please forward this information >> to those who may have an interest in applying. >> >> . X-ray diffraction laboratory manager: >> https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/30892 >> >> Regards, >> >> Jacob L. Jones Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science >> and Engineering Director, Analytical Instrumentation Facility North >> Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Email: jacobjo...@ncsu.edu >> Phone: 919-515-4557 >> > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > Please do NOT attach files to the whole list > <alan.he...@neutronoptics.com> Send commands to <lists...@ill.fr> eg: > HELP as the subject with no body text The Rietveld_L list archive is > on http://www.mail-archive.com/rietveld_l@ill.fr/ > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >
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