Laboratory Assistant II

University of Mississippi • University, MS

2d

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant II provides moderately complex technical support, general laboratory maintenance, and operational support with some independence to aid research projects in the Department of Biology at the University of Mississippi. The position supports Dr. Jason Taylor’s Freshwater Ecology Research Lab and assists researchers with methods for measuring gas fluxes related to carbon and nitrogen cycling in lakes and streams.

The role includes preparing media, cultures, formulas, specimens, and reagents; collecting water and biological samples in freshwater environments and outdoor mesocosms; conducting routine water-quality analyses; maintaining equipment and laboratory spaces; and tracking supplies and equipment inventory. The assistant also supports the setup, maintenance, and sampling of mesocosm experiments, environmental sensor work, and greenhouse-gas flux measurements, following established protocols and standards.

Requirements

• High school education is required.
• Four years of relevant experience is required.
• Ability to prepare reagents and perform basic laboratory tasks.
• Ability to follow established laboratory and field protocols and standards.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related science discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide laboratory and field support to Dr. Jason Taylor’s Freshwater Ecology Research Lab.
• Assist postdoctoral researchers and graduate and undergraduate students in setting up methods for measuring gas fluxes related to carbon and nitrogen cycling pathways in lakes and streams.
• Run routine water-quality analyses in the laboratory.
• Prepare reagents and perform basic laboratory tasks.
• Conduct fieldwork and collect water samples in freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
• Prepare media, cultures, formulas, or specimens according to established protocols and procedures under limited supervision.
• Collect water and biological samples from natural lakes, rivers, wetlands, and experimental outdoor mesocosms to support laboratory research.
• Assist with the setup, maintenance, and sampling of large-scale outdoor mesocosm experiments.
• Calibrate, deploy, and download environmental sensors at field and experimental sites according to established protocols and standards.
• Analyze water samples for dissolved and total nutrient concentrations using a SEAL nutrient autoanalyzer.
• Analyze water samples for dissolved gas concentrations using Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometers (MIMS).
• Analyze water samples for chlorophyll a using a Pulsed-Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometer.
• Process gas samples for dissolved CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations using the headspace-equilibrium method.
• Assist with field greenhouse-gas flux measurements using a Licor Smart Chamber and analyzers.
• Inspect, prepare, clean, and maintain equipment, supplies, and facility spaces according to established protocols and standards.
• Track supply and equipment inventory levels, place replenishment orders, and maintain funding information.
• Support scheduling and screening of participants and document and monitor results for human-subject research, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED