Wet Lab Lead Technician

FWI, a leading environmental consulting and scientific services company, is committed to advancing understanding and stewardship of aquatic ecosystems. With a focus on innovative science and rigorous data management, FWI collaborates with premier institutions like NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) to protect and monitor the health of freshwater resources, particularly the Great Lakes. FWI is recognized for its expertise in environmental research and technology deployment, delivering high-quality laboratory support and field sampling programs that contribute to the broader scientific community's knowledge on aquatic environments.

FWI is currently seeking a Wet Lab Lead Technician to join their team and lead laboratory operations supporting NOAA's GLERL in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This full-time position offers an hourly wage range of $39.21 to $41.27, reflecting the specialized skill set required to successfully manage and maintain a nutrient and limnology laboratory. The Wet Lab Lead Technician plays a pivotal role in shaping how water quality sampling programs are designed and executed across the Great Lakes region. This includes ownership of the laboratory bench, overseeing precise wet chemical analyses, and contributing to the scientific integrity of studies focused on harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and ecosystem health.

In this role, the Wet Lab Lead Technician is responsible not only for performing detailed analyses such as carbon and nutrient chemistry but also for mentoring fellow technical staff through hands-on training and developing comprehensive standard operating procedures. The work entails planning and implementing water quality monitoring programs on various research vessels across the Great Lakes, ensuring instrument calibration, data accuracy, and laboratory safety protocols are strictly adhered to. The technician will be involved in handling advanced instrumentation, including Total Organic Carbon analyzers, spectrophotometers, fluorometers, and equipment for measuring beta-emitting radioisotopes.

The role also emphasizes collaboration with GLERL scientists and engineers during seasonal field sampling cruises, typically conducted from May through November, which requires a degree of fieldwork and physical capability such as lifting sample coolers and working aboard marine vessels. The technician will log and manage field samples, maintain meticulous laboratory records, and participate in data analysis and the preparation of scientific materials like charts and publications. Telework options exist for tasks that do not require on-site presence, providing flexibility within a structured Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule.

Joining FWI means becoming part of a team that values professional development, teamwork, and technical excellence. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, disability coverage, life insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and holiday pay. FWI is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer, supporting the growth and success of its employees while contributing to critical environmental research and conservation efforts in the Great Lakes region.