Research Technician I

Texas A&M University System•College Station, TX

6d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Responsibilities: -Lead arthropod rearing program (i.e., stable flies, blow flies, mealworms, etc.), which currently includes leading a team of undergraduate research assistants by providing support in maintaining standardized arthropod rearing practices. -Support to ongoing research projects may include collecting arthropods or other samples around livestock facilities or other outdoor areas. -Processing samples in the laboratory, maintain and organize samples and data in a timely manner, and other tasks depending on a project's schedule and need. -Responsible for the maintenance, adherence to, and implementation of lab safety requirements, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, inventory, and ordering of laboratory supplies. -Other duties will be as assigned as interest and independence is demonstrated. Required Education and Experience: -High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience. -Two years of related experience. Preferred Education and Experience: -BS in relevant field -Research experience (research outside of classroom) -Arthropod handling and rearing -Livestock or wildlife handling Required Special Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: -Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people of various backgrounds. Including engaged communication. -Willingness to work with live-animals, including live-arthropods, and to follow animal welfare, safety, and compliance requirements in a research environment. -Ability to work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends. -Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others. -Exceptional skills in maintaining organized data records in a timely and detailed manner both physically and virtually, to ensure transparent records for all lab personnel. -Maintaining knowledge and implementation of lab standard operating procedures, workspace preparation, lab techniques, and safety. -Demonstrated capacity to independently troubleshoot issues. -Ability to stand/sit for extended periods of time to perform duties. -Ability to work occasionally in hot, outdoor environments in remote areas. -Ability and willingness to work with pesticides and biosafety risk group agents of level 2. -Ability to travel overnight and/or weekends associated with research. Preferred Special Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: -Proficient in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Google workspace, and reference managers. -Experience working with arthropods. -Experience working with live-animals in a research or medical setting. -Experience with invertebrates' colony rearing or vertebrate husbandry in a research setting. -Experience with livestock or wildlife handling. -Biological research experience including undergraduate experiences. -Experience with molecular assays (cell cultures, histology, PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, qPCR, etc.). -Experience with arthropod identification via taxonomic dichotomous keys. -A valid driver's license Please attach to your completed application: Resume List of References with email and daytime phone number(s) All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two years of related experience.
Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people of various backgrounds. Including engaged communication.
Willingness to work with live-animals, including live-arthropods, and to follow animal welfare, safety, and compliance requirements in a research environment.
Ability to work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.
Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Exceptional skills in maintaining organized data records in a timely and detailed manner both physically and virtually, to ensure transparent records for all lab personnel.
Maintaining knowledge and implementation of lab standard operating procedures, workspace preparation, lab techniques, and safety.
Demonstrated capacity to independently troubleshoot issues.
Ability to stand/sit for extended periods of time to perform duties.
Ability to work occasionally in hot, outdoor environments in remote areas.
Ability and willingness to work with pesticides and biosafety risk group agents of level 2.
Ability to travel overnight and/or weekends associated with research.

Nice To Haves

BS in relevant field
Research experience (research outside of classroom)
Arthropod handling and rearing
Livestock or wildlife handling
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Google workspace, and reference managers.
Experience working with arthropods.
Experience working with live-animals in a research or medical setting.
Experience with invertebrates' colony rearing or vertebrate husbandry in a research setting.
Experience with livestock or wildlife handling.
Biological research experience including undergraduate experiences.
Experience with molecular assays (cell cultures, histology, PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, qPCR, etc.).
Experience with arthropod identification via taxonomic dichotomous keys.
A valid driver's license

Responsibilities

Lead arthropod rearing program (i.e., stable flies, blow flies, mealworms, etc.), which currently includes leading a team of undergraduate research assistants by providing support in maintaining standardized arthropod rearing practices.
Support to ongoing research projects may include collecting arthropods or other samples around livestock facilities or other outdoor areas.
Processing samples in the laboratory, maintain and organize samples and data in a timely manner, and other tasks depending on a project's schedule and need.
Responsible for the maintenance, adherence to, and implementation of lab safety requirements, cleanliness, equipment maintenance, inventory, and ordering of laboratory supplies.
Other duties will be as assigned as interest and independence is demonstrated.