Job Listing
Chemist (Preservation Scientist)
Library of Congress · Posted 52 days ago
About the Role
The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.
What You'll Do
- →The incumbent works only under the most general supervision of the Chief of the Preservation Research and Testing Division, who may outline in general terms the scientific and technical problems to be studied and the chemical areas of opportunity which will contribute to the Library's preservation research program.
- →Work is carried on with a high degree of independence and originality with little if any technical guidance.
- →Results are accepted as authoritative and are reviewed generally for usefulness and degree of solution of overall preservation problems.
- →Scientific contribution made by the incumbent has significant potential for influencing the preservation of library and archival collections worldwide.
- →As the Preservation Scientist, you will: Designs or directs the development of unique or leading-edge technology, instrumentation, or systems to meet specific scientific or mission requirements.
- →Projects significantly influence agency or government programs.
- →Serves as a technical expert within a specialized field of chemistry, namely, analytical separation chemistry.
- →Develops methodology for separation and characterization of degradation products formed in the aging of a variety of materials of which library collections are composed.
- →Calibrates and repairs various physical, chemical and optical scientific instrumentation such as high pressure liquid chromatography systems, gas chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, X-ray fluorescence equipment, various optical spectroscopies, microscopes etc., that are routinely used to perform the necessary analysis.
- →Operates instruments using established SOPs and provides updates as needed.
- →Operates sophisticated laboratory instruments and equipment.
- →Independently plans projects to solve technical problems for which definitions, methods, and/or data are highly incomplete, controversial or uncertain.
- →Performs a literature search to find any applicable or related methods and information about the chemistry of the materials being studied.
- →Serves as a leading scientist in chemical analysis.
Requirements
- ✓Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana.
- ✓The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library.
- ✓In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Personality Fit
This role is commonly a great fit for these MBTI types:
Job ID: 3e63537b-cacb-4630-82d2-569bdd8c11b1
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