Technician II

   

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards:

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values  

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success ; Leadership Skills for Success .

Department Background:

For more than 125 years, our faculty members, staff and students have been working to advance the field of insect biology and apply that knowledge to solve problems and improve lives.  As one of the top-ranked entomology programs in the country, our work spans the globe and impacts human lives on many levels, influencing a broad range of disciplines including human and veterinary medicine, farming, biodiversity and genomics. The Department of Entomology's mission is threefold: To pursue studies to understand basic and applied aspects of insect biology; to provide a robust and modern curriculum as part of preeminent undergraduate and graduate programs; and to inform and educate.

Rewards And Benefits:

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary:

The focus of research within this team is applied plant pathology, with an emphasis on soilborne pathogens of vegetables (fungi and nematodes).  The objective of the program is to contribute to improving the productivity, profitability and sustainability of vegetable crops in New York State by providing reliable and robust information to growers and industry for the development of durable disease management strategies.   This is achieved by conducting research into enhancing knowledge of pathogen biology, ecology and epidemiology for the design of strategic and tactical disease management strategies.  Complementary to this information is understanding factors responsible for disease epidemics and processes responsible for crop loss, such as depicting the spatiotemporal attributes of epidemics, characterizing spread from inoculum sources, and implications for risk prediction.  The program has a strong focus on extension and applied research, predominantly with processing vegetable crops.

Assist in laboratory, greenhouse, and field research under the supervision of the PI on vegetable soil-borne disease management.  Specific responsibilities include: 1) isolation and maintenance of plant pathogenic fungi and nematodes from plant tissue and soil; 2) assist with pesticide sensitivity trials in the laboratory and efficacy trials in the field; 3) inoculation of glasshouse and field plots with plant pathogens; 4) DNA extraction for characterization of plant pathogens; 5) maintenance and harvesting (hand and machinery-based) of greenhouse and field trials; and 6) good communication within the team and with collaborators.  Contribute to the organization of laboratory, greenhouse and field facilities used by the team and assist with ensuring compliance with safety and health guidelines.  Some training for temporary staff and students may also be required periodically.

This is a one-year term appointment with possibility of renewal based on secured funding and successful performance.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.  No relocation assistance is available for this position.

The Department is searching for a new team member to conduct supervised research in a laboratory studying the environmental drivers of mosquito-pathogen interactions and transmission.  The incumbent will be under the supervision of Dr. Courtney Murdock. The incumbent will be expected to perform daily operations with Murdock’s insectary, which involves rearing and husbandry of colonies of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes. The incumbent is also expected to participate in routine research under the supervision of Dr. Courtney Murdock.  Laboratory techniques to be employed will include but are not limited to: experimentally manipulating uninfected and infected mosquitoes in ACL-2 and 3 containment, dissecting uninfected and infected mosquito tissues, and being able to perform some routine molecular biology skills: DNA / RNA extractions, PCR, virus and parasite cell culture, etc. Data entry and responsible data management are also expected. This position will also oversee the stocking and restocking of inventory in our lab, will adhere to biosafety requirements in our various spaces, will help coordinate undergraduate researcher schedules, ensure all personnel are up to date on basic trainings, and will oversee general laboratory cleanliness and maintenance.

This is a one-year term appointment with the possibility of extension, dependent on funding. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color. 
• Experience working with diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing programs. 
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds. 
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Formal training beyond a high school diploma of six months to one year, with six months’ experience in biology, molecular biology, entomology, ecology, evolution, or a related field.  Some experience with animal husbandry and standard laboratory procedures.  Knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel and some experience with databases.  Ability to create an inclusive high quality and respectful work environment both in a team setting and independently to achieve lab, departmental and university goals.  Must be personable, flexible, proactive, and possess excellent organizational and communication skills and take pride in work.  Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff and grower cooperators.  Visual concentration, attention to detail and manual dexterity.  Must have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a professional manner.  Evidence of some independent research skills, with ability to prioritize multiple projects.  Knowledge of the use of a range of field and laboratory equipment.  Prior experience in collecting and compiling of data.  Demonstrated effective listening skills, sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities.  Continued training and expansion of skills through participation in job-related courses, seminars and workshops is expected.  Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate’s degree. Experience working in public health entomology, with routine molecular biology assays, basic cell culturing, aseptic technique, and some experience with statistical analysis desired by not mandatory. Experience working with pathogens in biosafety II or III containment labs in vitro and in vivo desired but not mandatory.  Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation and methodology, such as DNA extraction.

   

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University Job Title:

Technician II

Job Family:

Technical

Level:

B

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$19.92 - $22.02

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Jessica Townley

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator .

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates .

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Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

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2024-03-12