CALS- Technician II- Department of Entomology

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

5h • $23 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Technician II who will assist with research on mosquito resistance in the Department of Entomology. The technician will be expected to perform routine research under the supervision of Lindsay Baxter (Director of the NEVBD IR testing program) and Dr. Laura Harrington. A wide variety of routine to moderately complex technical laboratory support is needed. Laboratory techniques to be employed will include but are not limited to providing standard care for mosquito colony maintenance, supporting work on mosquito resistance, setting up and conducting a range of assays including CDC bottle bioassays, microplate and topical assays, washing and autoclaving glassware, handling animals, and other techniques and procedures as necessary. The position involves cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment and overall laboratory hygiene and preparing laboratory waste for disposal per protocols. The technician will also be expected to prepare non-standard buffers and reagents. Assisting in database development, maintaining standard laboratory records and other responsible data management functions is also expected as well as analyzing data using straightforward statistical methods and software. The technician will also have the opportunity to assist with the preparation of manuscripts. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. This is a full-time position at 97.5% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Requirements

• High School diploma and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Prior experience in a laboratory setting.
• Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling.
• Experience with Microsoft office suite – including Word, PowerPoint and Excel and familiarity with outlook.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written with faculty, staff and students.
• must possess excellent organizational and communication skills
• The technician should be motivated and an enthusiastic learner, capable of exercising some degree of independence in research within specified bounds.
• Personable, motivated and enthusiastic about working in a group environment.
• Ability to work with chemicals requiring careful use.
• Maintain lab safety protocol and procedures at all times.
• Research is goal oriented, with the applicant expected to be self-directed and autonomous and achieving defined goals.
• Ability to lift 20-50 pounds.
• Must be punctual, reliable and able to occasionally work irregular hours.
• Applicants should have experience in data collection and be comfortable with basic database and word processing programs.
• They must have some basic molecular biology skills such as DNA extraction and PCR and prior experience rearing mosquitoes and conducting resistance assays.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting microplate assays for insecticide resistance enzymes
• Associate’s degree, 2 years of college coursework or more

Responsibilities

• providing standard care for mosquito colony maintenance
• supporting work on mosquito resistance
• setting up and conducting a range of assays including CDC bottle bioassays, microplate and topical assays
• washing and autoclaving glassware
• handling animals
• cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment and overall laboratory hygiene
• preparing laboratory waste for disposal per protocols
• preparing non-standard buffers and reagents
• assisting in database development
• maintaining standard laboratory records and other responsible data management functions
• analyzing data using straightforward statistical methods and software
• assisting with the preparation of manuscripts

Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED