The mission of the Albany Research Center is to conduct fundamental and applied research in the field of materials science. Projects supported by the Analytical Laboratory include materials conservation, materials performance, and thermal treatment technology. The apprentice will be involved in sample and solution preparation, lab-ware maintenance, and the operation of Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometers. Data entry and manipulation will be performed on PC-based spreadsheet software. Applicants must be at least 16 years old at the start of the apprenticeship and must have completed a high-school chemistry course.
Experience using PC-based spreadsheets and word processors is beneficial.
Ambient conditions, standards compliance, problem investigation, and environmental policy effectiveness are the primary objectives. The apprentice will join a team of chemists in evaluating and investigating the impact of passive air blanks from new and old particulate monitors. Tasks include weighing filters at microgram levels using an electronic microbalance, collecting and assembling the data in Excel spreadsheets, and analyzing the effect of variables selected to reduce these blanks. Applicants should be juniors who have taken course work in physical science, are interested in math, and are able to work well with others. Students with coursework in chemistry, environmental science and math are preferred.