Water Quality Laboratory Director

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.

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.

This position is On-site.

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

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

Applications close on: October 10, 2025

$93,165 - $130,427 Annually