MR Technician - Technical Specialist III

The Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge is searching for a qualified magnetic resonance technician to support the research activities of the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Facility. This is a full-time continuing position that is expected to commence on October 1, 2021.

The MR Facility at the University of Lethbridge houses the following instruments: 300 MHz solution-state Bruker Avance II Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer; 500 MHz solid-state Bruker Avance III HD NMR spectrometer; 700 MHz solution- and solid-state Bruker Avance III HD NMR spectrometer; Bruker EMX Plus EPR spectrometer; 3T Siemens Clinical human MRI scanner; liquid helium recovery facility; liquid nitrogen production facility. All of these instruments are widely used in the teaching and research programs of several departments including, but not limited to, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Department of Neuroscience.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: Duties of the position include: weekly liquid nitrogen fills for all magnet cryostats; operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the helium recovery system and liquid nitrogen production plant; bi-weekly liquid helium transfers for the helium recovery system; liquid helium fills for all magnet cryostats; maintain software resources for all facility computers and spectrometers; manage a Linux database computer that is utilized for monitoring both the helium recovery system and magnet cryostats; manage the backup and archiving of all spectrometer systems and experimental data; maintenance, repair, and cleaning of both solution- and solid-state probes for all NMR spectrometers in the facility; troubleshoot and resolve day to day problems with each of the magnetic resonance systems; training of the instrument users; implementing and testing new experiments and protocols on the facility spectrometers; management of the facility including record keeping, tracking instrument usage, billing users, organizing user group meetings, purchasing, and reporting on the facility budget.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in either physics or chemistry and at least 2-4 years of experience working in a magnetic resonance facility. The successful candidate should be proficient in troubleshooting hardware, software, and pulse sequence problems on Bruker NMR and EPR spectrometers, as well as Siemens MRI scanners. It would be extremely beneficial if the successful candidate has obtained certifications from attending courses offered by Bruker and/or Siemens in these areas. A strong background in RF, digital, and analogue electronics is required, as this is needed for troubleshooting and repairing spectrometers and RF electronics, such as NMR probes, on a regular basis. Extensive experience with managing Linux computers, coding in multiple computer languages (bash, C, C++, python, PHP, Matlab), and managing databases is essential. Attention to detail is very important to this job, especially as it relates to troubleshooting problems with the spectrometer, archiving both software and data, and monitoring all of the facility systems. Strong communication skills are an asset as the technician is required to efficiently communicate with instrument users and the magnetic resonance facility manager on a daily basis. Time management skills are also required, as the successful candidate must be able to carefully manage and balance the required day to day tasks of the facility while still dealing with any issues that need troubleshooting throughout the day.

This position requires certification for the Magnetom Skyra 3T MRI, as a Siemens Biomed Shared Services Expert. If the successful applicant does not have that certification, they will be required to attend the necessary training to attain that certification, including two initial on-line modules which will take place from November 1 – 5, 2021.