Laboratory Technician

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

22836BR

Ecology & Evolutionary Biology


Position Overview

The Wagner lab (http://wagnerlab.ku.edu ) is recruiting an assistant researcher to support research on the genetics and evolution of plant-microbe interactions. Our research team, which is affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, works at the intersection of plant biology, genetics, microbial ecology, and evolutionary biology.

Job responsibilities will include (1) technical research support in the lab, greenhouse, and field, e.g., independent execution of experiments or assisting senior team members; (2) training, management, and supervision of junior team members; (3) general lab support, such as maintaining stocks of communal reagents and supplies; and (4) contributing to data analysis and writing of manuscripts for publication.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a research laboratory setting, be highly reliable with excellent attention to detail, be adept at problem-solving, and have a Bachelor’s degree in plant biology, microbiology, or a related field.

The start date is flexible but ideally mid-August, 2022. This position is contingent upon funding with a possibility for renewal of up to two years if additional funding is secured. The successful candidate must be authorized to work in the U.S. before employment begins.


Job Description

  • 70% - Provide technical research support in the lab, greenhouse, and/or field; this may involve execution of independent experiments or assisting senior team members with their experiments. Develop, trouble-shoot, and fine-tune laboratory protocols. Take clear and detailed notes on all research activities using the team’s electronic lab notebook.
  • 15% - Manage general lab operations and provide general logistical support. Receive and unpack deliveries of supplies; monitor stocks of communal reagents and supplies; communicate to the PI when supplies need to be ordered. Maintain stocks of commonly used buffers, reagents, and supplies (e.g., autoclaved pipette tips).
  • 10% - Train, manage, and supervise student hourly employees. Delegate lab-management and/or research tasks as appropriate.
  • 5% - Support and/or contribute to the preparation of written research outputs, including progress reports to funding agencies as well as manuscripts for publication. This may include data analysis, creation of publication-quality tables and figures, writing, proofreading, and editing.

Position Requirements

  • This position is located at the University of Kansas-Lawrence.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, plant biology, or a related field.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills as evidenced in application materials and interview.
  • Outstanding attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills as evidenced by application materials and interview.
  • Demonstrated experience with sterile technique and microbial culture as evidenced by application materials.
  • Demonstrated experience with basic molecular biology methods (PCR, nucleic acid extraction, gel electrophoresis, etc.) as evidenced by application materials.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated interest in plant biology, genetics, microbiology, and/or evolutionary biology.
  • Experience growing and caring for plants, especially in a research setting (e.g., greenhouse).

    • Additional Candidate Instruction

    A complete online application includes a cover letter, a resume, and contact information for 3 professional references.
    Application deadline is August 5th, 2022. To be considered, please apply by this date.


    Advertised Salary Range

    $32,000 to $40,000 depending on experience


    Application Review Begins

    06-Aug-2022


    Anticipated Start Date

    15-Aug-2022


    Limited Term End Date

    31-Jul-2023


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    Work Schedule

    40 hours/week


    Conditions of Employment

    Contingent on Funding, Limited Term


    Work Location Assignment

    On-Site


    Disclaimer

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).


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