Instructional Support Technician II - Cell & Molecular Biology

Sacramento State•Sacramento, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instructional Support Technician II (IST II) is responsible for independently providing overall instructional support for undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses in cell and molecular biology, as well as related courses and research as needed. This role involves ordering and preparing supplies, reagents, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell cultures, and setting up experiments. The IST II ensures the safe storage and handling of materials and equipment in the cell/molecular area, manages laboratory preparation and ordering for cell/molecular courses, and prepares/maintains reagents, supplies, consumables, cell cultures, and nucleic acid samples. The position also coordinates chemical, laboratory, and biological safety in assigned spaces, including maintaining a chemical inventory, ensuring proper waste disposal, conducting inspections, and keeping safety documentation updated. Additionally, the IST II troubleshoots and performs basic routine maintenance on equipment such as biosafety cabinets, incubators, microscopes, and thermocyclers. The incumbent provides lead work direction to undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles of performing support services for lower and upper division and masters-level cell and molecular biology courses.
Ability to work independently, handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects effectively, and follow written protocols.
Knowledge of the use of materials and supplies in cell and molecular biological sciences laboratory courses.
Knowledge of laboratory safety including state and federal guidelines and regulations for laboratory safety.
Ability to safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals and biohazardous waste.
Experience and ability to use aseptic techniques to prepare and culture both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell cultures and freeze and recover viable eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell lines.
Experience with and ability to prepare and store and maintain DNA, RNA and protein samples, enzymes, agarose and SDS-PAGE gels, and other cell and molecular reagents.
Experience with and ability to prepare buffers, PCR reagents, sterile culture media, and other cell and molecular reagent solutions.
Knowledge of ordering laboratory materials needed for specific laboratory exercises and protocols.
Ability to provide lead work direction and coordinate student assistants and teaching associates in the preparation of materials.
Ability to troubleshoot and provide basic maintenance of laboratory equipment used in cellular and molecular biology courses, such as centrifuges, UV transilluminators, brightfield and fluorescent microscopes, cameras and digital imagers, spectrophotometers, thermal cyclers, pH meters, CO 2 incubators, pipettes, micropipettes, and glassware.
Experience using basic computer software including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook.
Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.
Satisfactory completion of the background check process.

Nice To Haves

B.S. or B.A. degree and graduate coursework in biology or related field.
Experience working or assisting in teaching laboratories.
Experience working with diverse student populations.
Familiarity with general molecular biology and eukaryotic cellular biology experimental workflows.
Knowledge of state and federal guidelines and regulations for storage and disposal of hazardous and biohazardous waste.

Responsibilities

Provide overall instructional support for undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses in cell and molecular biology.
Order and prepare supplies, reagents, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell cultures.
Set up experiments for laboratory courses.
Ensure safe storage and handling of materials and equipment in the cell/molecular area.
Prepare and/or maintain all reagents, supplies, consumables, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell cultures, and nucleic acid samples.
Coordinate chemical, laboratory, and biological safety in assigned spaces.
Maintain a chemical inventory.
Ensure proper handling and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste.
Conduct safety inspections and maintain updated safety documentation.
Troubleshoot and perform basic routine maintenance of equipment used in cell and molecular biology laboratory courses, including biosafety cabinets, incubators, microscopes, thermocyclers, and other routine equipment.
Provide lead work direction to undergraduate and/or graduate students.