Laboratory Technician, Marine Microbiology - Duhamel Lab, Molecular and Cellular Biology (Part-Time)

The University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

57d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona is dedicated to understanding the fundamental structures of life, exploring how biological molecules function within cells and how these processes are regulated through genetics. Our collaborative and innovative research community spans a broad range of disciplines. The Duhamel Lab studies the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical transformations, their adaptation to different environments, and their stress response. As part of this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of scientists advancing discoveries in biology. The Duhamel Lab at the University of Arizona (marine microbial ecology and biogeochemistry) is hiring a part-time Research Laboratory Technician to support a newly funded, three-year National Science Foundation (NSF Biological Oceanography) project carried out in collaboration with the Charvet Lab at Susquehanna University. The project investigates mixoplankton, which are single-celled marine organisms that can both photosynthesize like plants and eat prey like animals, and tests whether prasinophyte green algae switch from photosynthesis to feeding when phosphorus becomes scarce. The work combines continuous algal cultures, radioisotope tracer experiments (¹⁴C and ³³P), flow cytometry, and transcriptomics to understand how these globally abundant organisms will respond to expanding nutrient-poor regions of the ocean. The technician will be a core member of the experimental team, working closely with the PI (Dr. Solange Duhamel) and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona, while also helping to coordinate experiments with collaborators at Susquehanna University. This project is expected to last up to three years, contingent on funding. The anticipated end date of the position will be determined based on the selected candidate's start date, with the possibility of extension beyond the initial term subject to continued funding and satisfactory performance. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

High School diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
Minimum of 3 years of experience with basic laboratory practices, including sterile/aseptic technique and careful record keeping, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Knowledge of basic microbiology and cell biology laboratory practices, including sterile/aseptic technique.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, including the safe handling of chemicals and, with training, radioisotopes.
Skill in preparing culture media, reagents, and solutions accurately and reproducibly.
Skill in operating laboratory instrumentation (e.g., flow cytometer, fluorometer, particle counter) following established protocols.
Skill in maintaining detailed, well-organized records of experiments and samples in lab notebooks and shared digital files.
Ability to follow detailed written protocols precisely and carry out repetitive procedures with a high level of attention to detail.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks across concurrently running cultures and experiments, and to adapt work schedules to experiment timelines.
Ability to troubleshoot routine problems with cultures or instruments and communicate issues to the team promptly.
Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with team members and collaborators at partner institutions, as well as independently after training.

Nice To Haves

Experience culturing algae, phytoplankton, or other microorganisms.
Experience using flow cytometry, fluorometry, nutrient analyses, or radioisotope techniques (training will be provided).
Experience with analytical instrumentation such as GC-MS, HPLC, or similar instruments is a plus, but not necessary.
Experience with data management or analysis (e.g., spreadsheets, R, or Python).
Coursework, research experience, volunteer activities, or demonstrated academic interest in marine microbiology, oceanography, or biogeochemistry.

Responsibilities

Maintain cultures of marine prasinophyte algae and bacterial prey, including media preparation and sterile technique.
Set up, optimize, and monitor exponentially fed batch (EFB) continuous culture experiments, including characterizing growth phases of the study species.
Coordinate experiment timing with visiting collaborators and help maintain backup cultures to ensure successful sampling campaigns.
Conduct routine sampling of experiments and assist with sample analyses (e.g., flow cytometry, cell counts and biovolume, chlorophyll, nutrient, and radioisotope uptake measurements).
Assist the postdoctoral researcher with processing and analyzing samples generated by the project.
Assist the PI and postdoc with data management, record keeping, and general laboratory organization.