Lab Assistant (Part Time) - Department of Biological Sciences

About the role

Job Summary: Performs routine technical tasks and simple laboratory procedures to support the work of technical and professional laboratory staff. Located in Clemson, SC. Job Code: ED18; Employee Type: Temporary (TMP) Staff (Fixed Term). Standard work schedule: 15 hours per week. Application Deadline: September 28, 2026. Essential personnel: required to follow emergency facility closure and modified operations directives, not normally expected to work on-site during emergency situations. Clemson University allows educational equivalency for military technical certifications and trainings that directly relate to the job duties; veteran preference applies per South Carolina policy.

Responsibilities

• 40% - Participate in general lab maintenance, including but not limited to: media preparation, maintenance and optimization of lab protocols, and other general lab tasks
• 60% - Independently conduct and coordinate laboratory experiments, including but not limited to: anaerobic microbial isolation, microbiological assays, media preparation, molecular methods (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing), participation in lab meetings, maintenance of an up-to-date lab notebook, entering data, prepare / analyze / present data (such as at lab meetings, conferences, or for manuscripts)
• Job Knowledge: Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervises Student workers only
• Budgetary Responsibilities: No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.
• Physical Requirements: Stand for Prolonged Period: 20%; Sit (stationary position) for prolonged period: 20%; Walk or move about: 20%; Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc.: 50%; Ascend or descend (i.e. stairs, ladder): 5%; Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl): 5%; Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself: 75%; Recognize or inspect visually: 100%; Move, transport, raise or lower 50 lbs or more: 5%; Extends hands or arms in any direction: 75%; Perceive, observe, clarity of vision: 95%
• Working Conditions: Exposure to heat or cold: 10%; Exposure to dust/fumes: 5%; Noise: 25%; Vibration: 5%; Mechanical hazards: 10%; Chemical hazards: 50%; Burn hazards: 5%; Exposure to bio-hazards (i.e. blood, bodily fluids): 75%

Requirements

• High school diploma and work experience in a related health care setting or in a clinical or research laboratory setting; or
• 12 semester hours of academic training in biology and/or chemistry; or
• Registration as a Certified Laboratory Assistant by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or an equivalent registry; or
• Successful completion of a formal program of instruction for laboratory assistants at a hospital or academic institution.

Pay

Expected Salary Range: $15.05 - $15.05 per hour (salary dependent upon candidate's previous experience, knowledge, skills and performance in accordance with Clemson's compensation guidelines).

Schedule

Standard Hours: 15 hours per week.