Employment
Employment Opportunities
At WRI, you’ll find an environment where career achievement is paired with the best of Rocky Mountain living. Laramie is a relaxed college town with unmatched access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the West.
Our current job openings are below.
Lead Technician
Western Research Institute (WRI), a leading research and technology development company located in Laramie, Wyoming, seeks an organized, detail-oriented and responsive individual to join the Asphalt & Petroleum Technologies Business Unit. .
Brief Description of Duties: Candidate will be required to perform proper cataloguing, preserving, and shipping of samples, mixing and pouring of hot asphalt, high shear mixing of hot asphalt and other blending, loading reactors, using a fluidized sand bath, use high temperature and high pressure equipment, routinely lift reactors up to 50 lbs, cleaning of reactors and other equipment, working with pumps, performing distillations, performing filtrations, use a rotary evaporator, working with liquid nitrogen and dry ice, operate other analytical testing and mechanical testing equipment; operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of experimental apparatuses and laboratory equipment, record observations, maintain a well-organized laboratory notebook, data analysis and reporting, and cleaning. A strong mechanical aptitude and ability to routinely work with flammable solvents is necessary.
Under the direction of the project manager or designee, the technician will perform experiments, sample testing and assist in data analysis for reporting requirements. The lead technician will also participate with other team members in assessing solutions to experimental designs and testing issues.
Minimum Qualifications: Position requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry or closely related discipline. Laboratory research and working with high temperature experiments is preferred. Exceptional candidates with an associate degree and relevant lab experience may also be considered for this position. Strong verbal and written communication skills with fluency in Word and Excel are necessary. Candidate must work well in a team culture, be willing to work with a variety of toxic and flammable solvents, easily lift 50 pounds, and wear personal protective equipment (gloves and safety glasses).
The starting salary is $20 to $22 per hour.
Submit resume and cover letter by Octoiber 1, 2021 to Michelle D. Holmes, Human Resources Manager at mholmes1@uwyo.edu.
WRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.