Laboratory Assistant IV - Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science - CBD

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department (CBD) at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a Laboratory Assistant IV for its Automation Lab. The role keeps automated platforms operating reliably and producing high-quality, analysis-ready data, while helping researchers and students use them effectively. The position serves as an expert for a range of laboratory automation equipment, including standalone instruments and an integrated system. The Laboratory Assistant is responsible for safe, compliant lab operations, including safety and biosafety oversight, waste handling, institutional compliance, and maintaining SOPs and maintenance, calibration, and quality-control records. The role also manages service contracts and repairs, coordinates instrument bookings and user authorization, maintains supplies, and keeps the lab organized and inspection-ready. The position supports research and education by advising on experimental design, protocols, instrument operation, and data analysis; preparing for and assisting with laboratory courses; and training students and new users. It also contributes to equipment and facility planning, evaluates new instruments and methods, and supervises or mentors junior staff, students, or visiting users as opportunities arise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a combination of education and proven experience demonstrating comparable knowledge may be considered.
3–5 years of technical experience with laboratory automation.
3–5 years of laboratory experience in molecular biology.
Strong problem-solving, reasoning, communication, and organization skills.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Responsibilities

Monitor laboratory automation equipment performance and perform routine and preventive maintenance.
Troubleshoot equipment faults, liaise with manufacturers and service engineers, and minimize downtime.
Maintain records of maintenance, calibration, equipment usage, and consumables.
Ensure safe equipment use and compliance with institutional health and safety requirements.
Ensure automated instrument data are captured with complete metadata and saved to shared lab storage.
Work with computational staff to ensure experiments produce data in required formats.
Maintain scripts and software settings for scheduling instrument runs and routine data transfer.
Support automated workflows developed by the computational team, including follow-up runs based on analysis.
Train new users on safe and effective equipment use and assess competence before granting independent access.
Advise researchers on adapting protocols for automated workflows.
Develop and maintain SOPs, user guides, and training materials.
Prepare samples, reagents, and equipment for laboratory course sessions.
Assist students during practical sessions and help them develop good laboratory technique.
Oversee lab safety and compliance, including biosafety, chemical and biological waste handling, and institutional requirements.
Manage instrument scheduling and bookings across research and teaching needs.
Maintain consumables and reagent inventories and order supplies.
Keep lab spaces, benches, and storage organized and ready for users and inspections.
Contribute to facility planning, including equipment purchasing and service contracts.
Supervise and mentor junior staff, students, or visiting users as opportunities arise.
Identify opportunities to expand automation capabilities and help evaluate new technologies.
Represent the facility at internal meetings and, where appropriate, external user groups or conferences.
Undertake other duties appropriate to the role's grade as reasonably required.