Human Resources

Research Scientist II

Apply now Job No: 26127
Department: Great Lakes Research Center
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Research
Applications Close:

Ensured Consideration Date: August 5, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

The Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) aims to advance freshwater and coastal ocean research as a foundation for health, economic prosperity and global sustainability through interdisciplinary research cutting across Michigan Tech’s academic programs. The GLRC institute includes collaborative faculty from twelve disciplines within the Colleges of Engineering, Computing, Sciences and Arts, Business, and Forest Resources and Environmental Sciences. The GLRC seeks a Research Scientist II or III to support and grow research on fuel and energy systems, chemicals, as well as characterization and analysis of plastics. Activities will include oversight of Dr. Landis’s Plastics Analytics Lab, life cycle assessment, and technoeconomic analysis.

The Research Scientist will be involved in many current and upcoming research projects and would also be expected to lead new projects in collaboration with Dr. Landis and other GLRC faculty. current research projects include development of stakeholder engagement and life cycle assessments of hydrogen systems; material flow analysis (MFA), life cycle analysis (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of polymers and resins; characterization and analysis of micro and macro plastics in freshwater and coastal ocean environments.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Build MFAs, LCAs, TEAs and analyze results.
2. Manage Plastics Analytics Lab wet-lab; current lab research activities include digestion of organic matter, separation and characterization of plastics from environmental samples.
3. Support field-work, including sampling in a variety of environments such as freshwater, oceans, agricultural systems, drinking water, and more.
4. Contribute technical expertise to sponsored research as both a project lead and team member.
5. Successfully grow a funded research program, to become self-supporting into the future.
6. Prepare and deliver reports or presentations of research projects/analysis results for peer-reviewed publication and to project sponsors as appropriate.
7. Lead and contribute to the generation of proposals and external funding.
8. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
9. Apply research security knowledge to data, facilities, and personnel.
10. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.

 

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Ph.D. in engineering, chemistry, ecology, or similar related field
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident with ability to obtain and maintain necessary government clearances and access

Required Experience

• Experience with life cycle analysis (LCA)
• Experience in a laboratory environment
• Experience in stakeholder engagement
• Record of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience with MFA
• Experience with TEA
• Experience in field sampling
• Experience in plastic separation and characterization methods
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, and mentoring experience in a research environment Successful grant proposal authorship and execution
• Graduate-level coursework in one or more programming languages and statistical courses, particularly with environmental or ecological data

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience in one or more of the following programming languages/software: python, R, statistical analysis tools, OpenLCA, or other relevant software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse partners and represent the organization externally

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Experience in one or more of the following programming languages/software: python, R, statistical analysis tools, OpenLCA, or other relevant software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse partners and represent the organization externally
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

 

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

 WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Ability to travel internationally. Ability to collect field samples in a variety of environments, including but not limited to personal crafts and large boats in ocean and freshwater, agricultural fields, and water treatment facilities.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

-

Pay Rate/Salary

The salary range for this position is $75K - $90K. However, the final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Title of Position Supervisor

Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering

Posting Type

 Internal & External

Dependent on Funding

 True

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

 

Additional Information

This position is contingent upon the continued availability of external funding.

Full ensured consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before August 5, 2026

Please include:1 page statement summarizing experience in three areas: writing (technical and proposals), LCA and/or TEA, laboratory or field work

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.


Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

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