Laboratory Aide - Department of Physiology

Wayne State University•Detroit, MI

3d•$30,544 - $36,651•Onsite

About The Position

Wayne State University is seeking a Laboratory Aide for the Department of Physiology at its Detroit campus. The role performs standardized maintenance, custodial, stocking, and supply-preparation work for a teaching and research laboratory facility. Duties include cleaning and sterilizing glassware and equipment, operating laboratory washing and sterilizing equipment, delivering and organizing supplies, maintaining the stockroom, and preparing teaching supplies. The aide may provide functional work direction and training to one to three student or part-time support staff. A major duty is preparing food for fruit flies used in biological research. The aide combines yeast, sugar, and agar in a large industrial kettle, calculates ingredient quantities from weekly orders, dispenses the food into 10 ml vials and/or 50 ml bottles, and delivers orders to research laboratories in Scott Hall. Cooking may be needed once or more than once per week, depending on order volume. The role also includes cleaning and maintaining the dedicated fly kitchen and its equipment, organizing and ordering research supplies, and keeping records. Most work occurs in the kitchen area, which can become warm during cooking. Dispensing involves physical exertion, and tasks are repetitive. Hours are flexible; the aide may sometimes have student assistants but must also be able to work independently and efficiently. The position is an entry-level classification involving detailed standard practices, instructions, and supervision. Work includes light physical effort, good environmental conditions, minimal hazards, and above-normal sensory attention to monitor for broken or chipped glassware. The role reports to and receives work direction from a supervisory staff position. Employment is listed as regular employee and fractional time.

Requirements

High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Ability to handle wet, slippery glassware safely.
Keen attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively with others.
Ability to work independently and efficiently as needed.
Comfort with repetitive tasks.
Ability to perform the physical exertion involved in dispensing prepared food.

Nice To Haves

Some knowledge of or experience with laboratory equipment and apparatus is preferred.
Experience working in a laboratory setting is typical for incumbents.

Responsibilities

Collect, clean, and sterilize glassware and related materials from assigned teaching and research laboratories.
Maintain the cleanliness of laboratory equipment and facilities.
Operate washing and sterilizing equipment, including dishwashers, autoclaves, drying ovens, sterilizers, and pipet pluggers.
Deliver equipment and supplies to laboratory facilities and arrange them as needed.
Maintain and stock the storeroom according to established procedures; package teaching supplies for laboratory instruction.
Assign, monitor, and train one to three student or part-time temporary support personnel in appropriate work methods and procedures, as needed.
Prepare food for research fruit flies by calculating ingredient quantities from weekly orders, cooking ingredients, dispensing food into vials and/or bottles, and delivering orders to laboratories.
Clean and maintain the fly kitchen, kitchen materials, work areas, and laboratory equipment.
Order and organize required research supplies and maintain records.
Perform related work as assigned.