Water Quality Laboratory Director

About This Role

The Water Quality Laboratory Director is responsible for overseeing the operations, research activities, and strategic direction of the water quality laboratory. This role involves managing laboratory personnel, ensuring high quality analysis and testing of samples, compliance with safety and quality standards, maintaining and upgrading instrumentation, securing funding through grant writing, determining necessary equipment to establish and expand the lab, and fostering collaborative research efforts within and outside the institution. The Director will support faculty, students, and external partners in environmental water quality sample characterization, and the development of techniques for research and development consistent with the goals of the Kansas Water Institute.

About Us

The Kansas Water Institute (KWI) develops and supports research on high-priority water resource problems and objectives identified through the state water plan. KWI is a multi-disciplinary institute, with faculty involvement from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, the institute facilitates effective communication between water resource professionals and helps disseminate and apply research results. For more information, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/engagement/innovation-and-partnerships/interdisciplinary-institutes/water-institute/
Kansas State University (www.ksu.edu) is located in the city of Manhattan (www.ci.manhattan.ks.us), a welcoming community of about 60,000 individuals in the Flint Hills of north central Kansas, 2 hours west from Kansas City. Manhattan also serves as the regional center for education, health care, commerce, the performing arts, entertainment and communications.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree
5 to 10 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

M.S.
Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry, Hydrology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field.
Five years of relevant experience with water quality and analytical lab chemistry.
Five years of experience in laboratory chemistry or a related technical field, with at least 3 years of experience in laboratory management or supervision.
Strong background in handling and interpreting analytical data, with experience in data processing software.
Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Experience with mass spectrometry, gas and liquid chromatography, atomic spectroscopy, and other advanced analytical techniques.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with researchers, students, and external collaborators.
Proficiency in laboratory safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with lab equipment and instrumentation.
Strong leadership and project management skills.
Experience in research development, grant writing and securing funding.
Familiarity with lab management software, inventory systems, and budgeting.
Proven experience with a wide range of analytical techniques including instrument operation of ICP-MS, ICP-OES, LC-MS/MS, Q-TOF MS, IC, segmented flow analyzer, and basic chemistry laboratory equipment (e.g., titrator, centrifuge pH meter).

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

Cover Letter (limited to 1 page)
Leadership statement illustrating your vision for the development and management of the water quality lab (limited to 1 page)
CV
Contact information for 3 professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: October 10, 2025

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$93,165 – $130,427 Annually

Sign up for job alerts

First Name (required)Last Name (required)Email (required)Select one or more from the lists below to receive information about specific jobs:

Finalize your job alert by selecting criteria from the dropdowns below. You can select multiple options from each dropdown by returning to the combobox and re-entering the list of options. Submit at the end to create your job alert.DepartmentsDepartments3670001330 Ext Eng Strat Interds Prog Dev

3670001330 Ext Eng Strat Interds Prog DevCategoriesCategoriesExecutive / Director / ManagementResearch / Scientific / Grants

Executive / Director / Management

Research / Scientific / GrantsEmployment TypeEmployment TypeStaff Full Time (Unclassified – Regular)

Staff Full Time (Unclassified – Regular)LocationsLocationsManhattan, Kansas, United States

Manhattan, Kansas, United StatesWorksiteWorksiteOn-site

On-site

https://www.recaptcha.net/recaptcha/enterprise/anchor?ar=1&k=6LfM1yMrAAAAAPqHM6YkSPgkkc1cwlXALq4g9i4Y&co=aHR0cHM6Ly9jYXJlZXJzLmstc3RhdGUuZWR1OjQ0Mw..&hl=en&v=XrIDux0s7SoNe6_IHkjGC92W&size=normal&anchor-ms=20000&execute-ms=15000&cb=yks1exly34jsSign Up!

Save this job for later

Add this job to your favorites or send it to yourself to apply later

Save this job to your favorites or send it to yourself to apply later (required)Last Name (required)Save this job to your favorites or send it to yourself to apply later

Share this job with a friend

First Name (required)Last Name (required)Email (required)Provide your friend’s name and email and we’ll send this job

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.

10 days remaining

Apply by 10 October, 2025

Job no longer available? Let us know!

POSITION TYPE

Researcher

ORGANIZATION TYPE

University/Academia/Research/Think tank

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

5-9 Years

DEGREE REQUIRED

Bachelor's (Or Equivalent)

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development

Back to all water jobs