Lab Technician AS7231

About the role

The Department of Microbiology seeks a dedicated, detail-oriented, and collaborative professional who is passionate about student success in a dynamic laboratory environment. This position reports to and supports the Teaching Laboratory Coordinator and is essential to the operation of undergraduate microbiology teaching laboratories serving approximately 800 students annually.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage culture media, reagents, and bacterial cultures for courses such as Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory, Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory, and other laboratory courses as needed.
• Troubleshoot media and culture issues, maintain active and long-term culture collections with appropriate purity checks.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, automated media preparators, glassware washers, cold rooms, and sterilization systems.
• Ensure prep labs are clean, organized, and fully functional, oversee biohazard waste and contaminated materials processing, and coordinate purchasing and inventory of supplies.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety documentation, support the continuity of lab operations by assuming the duties of the Teaching Lab Coordinator when necessary.
• Assist with monitoring and standardizing teaching methods and course materials - particularly for Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory - working with the Teaching Lab Coordinator to promote consistency and effectiveness across lab sections.
• Provide training, supervision, and mentorship to undergraduate assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants, and support student learning through direct interaction when needed.
• Collaborate with the Teaching Laboratory Coordinator to ensure appropriate graduate and undergraduate student training on how to operate autoclaves is provided and recorded on a regular basis.
• Contribute to departmental initiatives such as equipment inventories, chemical inventories, and space utilization surveys.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or related field (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
• Two years experience in research and/or higher ed teaching laboratories.
• Post-secondary research training may be substituted for experience.
• Ability to organize workload effectively to meet deadlines, work autonomously and collaboratively, and under pressure.

Skills, Proficiencies, And/or Knowledge

• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform basic microbiology techniques.
• General knowledge of audio/visual classroom equipment.
• Proficiency in laboratory classroom instruction.
• Ability to work with others, including teaching laboratory personnel and students.

Benefits

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend work based on course schedules. The role involves working with live microbial organisms and chemicals, exposure to high-temperature equipment (up to 250°F), and working in environments reaching 95–98°F for up to two-hour intervals. Candidates must be able to lift at least 35 pounds, climb ladders, and stand or sit for extended periods.

Pay

$15.50 - $20.50 hourly

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend work based on course schedules.