Research Professional I, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

University of Arizona•Tucson, AZ

37d•$47,356 - $59,195

About The Position

The Gutierrez Garcia Laboratory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) is seeking a full-time Research Professional I. This individual will be responsible for research activities that support the overall mission of the Gutierrez Garcia Laboratory, including working with beneficial bacteria isolates and germ-free fruit flies. Fly husbandry, microbiology skills and basic molecular biology techniques are required. In addition, the Research Professional will assist with other duties required for the smooth running of the lab, including ordering supplies, training new personnel in basic bench techniques, and administering lab safety programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience required.
One (1) year of relevant work experience required.
Proficient in the use of computers, including software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Independent and self-motivated.
Highly organized and detail-oriented.
Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Demonstrated strong, positive interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate effectively across disciplines and within a variety of contexts.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a relevant field.
Three years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

Maintaining germ-free fly stocks and common fly and bacterial supplies (e.g., bacterial media, fly food, etc.) following instructions provided.
Work on defined experiments under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI), primarily in microbiology and molecular biology (e.g., setup, scheduling, data acquisition), and reporting findings to the PI.
Participate with PI to identify and manage multiple priorities to meet defined deadlines.
Assist the PI with writing laboratory manuscripts, specifically contributing to the methods, results, and figure-generation sections identified by collection of research results.
Participate in lab meetings and other scientific seminars or meetings in relation to research project.
Keep the laboratory organized and maintain all protocols in shared Google Documents.
Provide training on laboratory procedures and techniques.
Help prepare the laboratory for annual biosafety inspections and other regulatory review processes.
Placing common orders for materials and supplies, assist with negotiating with vendors, and performing basic cost analyses for research projects.
Collaborating with the EEB business office and PI to ensure laboratory expenses are appropriately charged to sponsored accounts and remain within awarded budgets.
Help monitor laboratory inventory and maintain adequate common supplies.
Order laboratory reagents, specialized primers, and other materials for experiments under PI direction, in alignment with grant guidelines and experimental needs.
Adhere to lab safety programs and training to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including establishing environmental health and safety standards, policies, and safety-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Assist the PI in responding to calls from lab members outside of routine work hours regarding lab-related questions or emergencies, as applicable.
Assist the PI in addressing equipment malfunctions outside of standard work hours, which may occasionally require reporting to the lab in person, as applicable.