Position Title: Research Asst,Sr
Employee Classification: Research Asst,Sr
College/Division: Engineering College
Department: 360400-CIVIL ENGINEERING
Internal or External Search: External – Open to all applicants
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $43,908.80; Commensurate with Experience
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt
Summary: Join NMSU’s water research team as a Senior Research Assistant! This role supports vital water quality analysis projects, focusing on fit-for-purpose applications. You’ll collaborate with NMSU faculty, students, and external partners to enhance water sampling and analysis, characterize water constituents, and assess toxicity on aquatic life and mammals. Your responsibilities will include monitoring, gathering, and analyzing water, soil, and plant samples, conducting treatment experiments, and assisting with lab management.
Classification Summary:
Performs senior-level professional research in support of a major research project. Acts as a project leader in directing and coordinating other research assistants and technicians. Supervises data collection, evaluation, and analysis. Assists faculty researchers or acts independently in the design of research projects, the development of methods and procedures, the preparation of research proposals, and the writing of research findings. Reports to faculty researcher or principal investigator.
Classification Standard Duties:
Acts as a project leader and directs the collection, processes, and assists in the compilation and verification of research data, samples, and/or specimens, following strict protocol and detailed instructions. Performs or assists with the execution of routine research protocol, such as interviewing, testing, and/or scientific procedures. Uses specialized analytical equipment, instrumentation, and/or statistical software, as specifically assigned, to assist with routine data analysis and interpretation, as appropriate to the position. Assists in the setup, operation, and maintenance of research equipment, instrumentation, and/or facilities, as specifically instructed. May travel to field research sites or other locations to collect and record data and/or samples, as appropriate to established study objectives and protocols. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Education- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Experience- Five (5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.
Equivalency- None
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of research methods, laboratory procedures, terminology specific to the research field.
Skill in the use of computerized systems and databases.
Ability to understand and follow basic scientific research protocol and procedure. Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The position is to support water research projects for water quality analysis for fit-for-purpose applications. The researcher will work with NMSU faculty, students, state and federal agencies, industry and environmental groups to improve:
1) the sampling and analysis approaches to accurately characterize water quality.
2) an understanding and characterization of the various constituents of concern in water
3) characterization of toxicity of treated water on aquatic life and mammals.
This position:
Monitors, gathers, and analyzes the characteristics of water, soil, and plant samples.
Analyzes samples using a variety of standard and advanced approaches.
Conducts treatment experiments. Works with NMSU faculty and students to conduct water treatment experiments.
Assists in managing water research labs.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Special Requirements of the Position
Department Contact: Pei Xu, (575) 646-5870, pxu@nmsu.edu
Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding
Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.
Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Recruitment Summary
We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.
NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.
NMSU Global Campus
Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.
NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University’s 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.
Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.
Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.
Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.
EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.
