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Job Description

Overview

Widener University is seeking a Support Scientist in the Science department to ensure the effective operation of the department by maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment. The position supports faculty and students in teaching and research, enhancing the quality of scientific instruction and research across the division.

Responsibilities

  • Troubleshoots mechanical, electronic, and software issues for scientific instrumentation used across the science division.
  • Applies basic machining and construction skills to build, modify, and repair apparatus used in laboratory instruction and research.
  • Safely handles and replaces high-pressure gas cylinders.
  • Maintains, operates, and troubleshoots all major analytical instruments in the Science Division including chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and NMR systems.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related scientific or technical discipline and/or previous work experience.
  • Experience working with scientific laboratory instrumentation in an academic or research setting.
  • Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to perform basic machining, assembly, and equipment repair.
  • Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, including safe handling of high-pressure gas cylinders and hazardous materials.
  • Ability to learn, operate, and maintain complex analytical instruments and related software.
  • Strong troubleshooting, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills to support faculty, staff, and students.

Additional Information

  • Must be able to lift and move laboratory equipment and gas cylinders up to 50 pounds with proper safety techniques.
  • Subject to periods of standing, bending, climbing stairs, reaching, and performing repetitive motions.
  • Works in laboratory, mechanical, and rooftop greenhouse environments, which may involve exposure to noise, fumes, or temperature variations.
  • Occasional evening or weekend hours to support instrumentation maintenance or research needs.
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How this job compares in Chester, PA

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs across Pennsylvania currently run a median of $30/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $25–$36/hr across 162 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Chester, PA

Chester, PA is a small market in our index: 1 other active welding opening alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across Pennsylvania as a whole we're tracking 321 other active welding openings from 196 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across Pennsylvania.

The most active employers in Pennsylvania at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Rhoads Industries (12), Department of the Navy - Agency Wide (8), and Phillips Tank & Structure (8). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Pennsylvania, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Philadelphia at $32/hr, Braddock at $31/hr, and Malvern at $30/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Chester, PA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Support Scientist figures were last recalculated when this page was built.