Laboratory Assistant II
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 Biology Department at the University of Mississippi. The position supports Dr. Jason Taylor’s Freshwater Ecology Research Lab through laboratory and field work involving freshwater ecology and carbon and nitrogen cycling in lakes and streams. The role prepares media, cultures, formulas, and specimens; collects water and biological samples and research data; assists with outdoor mesocosm experiments; calibrates and manages environmental sensors; conducts routine water-quality and laboratory analyses; and inspects, prepares, cleans, and maintains laboratory equipment, supplies, and spaces. It also tracks inventory and places replenishment orders. Work follows established protocols and standards, with limited supervision. A bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related science discipline is preferred; a high school education and four years of relevant experience are required.
Requirements
- High school education is required.
- Four years of relevant experience are required.
- Proficiency in preparing reagents and performing basic laboratory tasks.
- Ability to follow established protocols and standards for laboratory and field procedures.
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 to measure gas fluxes related to carbon and nitrogen cycling in lakes and streams.
- Run routine water-quality analyses and prepare reagents and perform other basic laboratory tasks.
- Conduct fieldwork and collect water and biological samples from lakes, rivers, wetlands, and experimental outdoor mesocosms.
- Prepare media, cultures, formulas, and specimens according to established protocols and procedures.
- Collect data to support laboratory research.
- Assist with setting up, maintaining, and sampling large-scale outdoor mesocosm experiments.
- Calibrate, deploy, and download environmental sensors at field and experimental sites.
- Analyze water samples for dissolved and total nutrient concentrations using a SEAL nutrient autoanalyzer.
- Analyze water samples for dissolved gas concentrations using a Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer (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.
- Track supply and equipment inventory, place replenishment orders, and maintain funding information.
- May support participant scheduling and screening and document and monitor results for human-subject research.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
