CALS- Technician III- School of Integrative Plant Science- Plant Pathology Section
About The Position
The School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS) at Cornell University is seeking a highly qualified Technician III to support daily laboratory activities and ongoing research projects. This role will focus on characterizing the function of microbes in plant-insect interactions using molecular and chemical ecology tools. The position offers an exciting opportunity for individuals with a background in plant biology, plant-microbe interactions, or plant-insect interactions, who are interested in ecology, molecular biology, and chemistry. Demonstrated leadership skills will be highly valued. This is a part-time position (62.5% FTE, 25 hours/week) and a one-year term appointment, contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. Candidates should be based in or able to commute to Ithaca, NY daily. Occasional travel to field sites is required. Visa sponsorship and relocation costs are not available.
Requirements
- High school diploma and up to 1 year 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 have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver’s license and be cleared to drive for university business.
- Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree or other formal research program of four years or equivalent in microbiology, molecular biology, or chemistry.
- Experience growing and working with plants.
- Experience with molecular biology tools.
- Interest in plant-insect and plant-microbiome interactions, molecular ecology, or chemical ecology.
- Experience in leadership.
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute research experiments related to plant-microbe-insect interactions.
- Use molecular, chemical, and genetic tools to process samples from own experiments and others.
- Conduct analysis of data generated from laboratory experiments using machine learning/bioinformatics tools.
- Generate figures and reports from experiments.
- Lead day-to-day activities for the lab.
- Intellectually contribute to the development of research articles and proposals.
- DNA and RNA extraction.
- Working with insects and pathogens in bioassays.
- Plant care.
- Operation of complex laboratory equipment.
- Supporting field, greenhouse, and/or lab experiments.
- Data collection and analysis.
- Use of R for data analysis.
- Maintain detailed records, biological collections, and lab inventories.
- Writing and revising standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols.
- Ordering supplies for the research project and lab.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Health and personal leave
- Three weeks of vacation
- 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)
- Two additional floating holidays
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
