Vector Biology Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Job Posting Title:

Job Description:

Title of Job: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN II

BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Application Requirements:

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials with their application:

• Cover Letter

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Unofficial College Transcript
  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Laboratory Technician II position is a grant funded position with expected funding from August 24, 2026 - August 23, 2029 (some flexibility possible here). This position is contingent upon a 2 month initial review, yearly performance reviews, and continued and sufficient grant funding. This position provides technical lab support to faculty and students in a molecular parasitology research laboratory by performing a variety of routine and moderately complex laboratory and research-related responsibilities. The Laboratory Technician II works independently, reporting directly to the project PI. Molecular biology experiments include, but are not limited to, flow cytometry analysis, PCR, cloning, CUT&RUN (similar to ChIP-seq), parasite genetic modification, parasite cultivation, and preparation of libraries for high-throughput sequencing.

The Schulz Tryp lab at Harvey Mudd College is interested in how organisms adapt to different environments. Our study system is the African trypanosome parasite, which cycles between a tsetse fly vector and a mammalian host. In humans and animals, the parasite causes a fatal disease called African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). The disease causes a large human and economic burden for people living in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is endemic. In order to adapt itself from living in the bloodstream to living in the fly, the parasite must change the transcript levels of thousands of genes in the genome. We want to know more about the molecular mechanisms behind these changes. You can read more about our work at https://sites.google.com/a/g.hmc.edu/schulzlab/.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts experiments using current methods in molecular biology; assists PI in developing and evaluating methods, procedures and techniques used in experiments.

• Prepares chemical reagents and solutions.

• Ensures the safe storage of biological and chemical materials.

• Sterilizes equipment, plasticware, and chemical reagents.

• Monitors inventories of expendable supplies (e.g., chemicals, reagents, plasticware, glassware) and advises PI or staff of reordering needs. May be responsible for ordering materials in consultation with PI and other staff.

• Assists PI with supervising and training research students in lab methods and procedures.

• Responsible for data entry, retrieval, and analysis on various Mac-type computers.

• Documents experimental work in clear and detailed laboratory notebook record.

• Assists in the proper collection and disposal of waste materials according to regulations and department policy.

• Participates in and contributes to a safe environment by keeping current with safety regulations, checking and maintaining equipment, orienting research students to the proper use of materials and equipment, and overseeing compliance with regulations.

• Performs research as needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field by May 2026. A combination of undergraduate coursework and related experience may be considered.

• Experience: One to two years of experience with modern molecular biological
  instrumentation and laboratory techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, Sanger and Illumina sequencing), and familiarity with command-line computational analyses highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions can be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively.

• Proficiency with computer software, preferably python, R, and shell scripting.

• Good manual dexterity.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to use modern laboratory equipment in the general area of molecular biology.

• Ability to communicate, in English, with faculty members and students who are well versed in various scientific fields, primarily biology and bioinformatics.

• Knowledge of and ability in PCR, gel electrophoresis, and other routine molecular biology techniques.

• Knowledge of and ability in running and programming command-line pipelines in unix and python preferred.

• Knowledge of appropriate/applicable safety standards.

Remote Work Eligibility:

Category B:
All staff positions, regardless of remote work eligibility, require an initial 30-calendar-day on-campus work period. Based on an evaluation by the supervisor and area Vice President, this position is classified as Category B as defined in the College's Remote Work Policy, with occasional ad-hoc remote work flexibility (as needed). Your approved remote work arrangements under Category B allow for up to zero remote work days per week during the academic year and up to one remote work day during the non-academic year. Please note these days may vary depending on departmental and College needs.

Your standard working hours will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though these hours may vary depending on departmental and College needs. All remote work arrangements, including ad-hoc remote work, must be approved by the direct supervisor, area Cabinet member, and Human Resources, and are subject to periodic review based on institutional needs. These arrangements are neither guaranteed nor considered entitlements and may change due to factors such as employee performance, evolving business needs, or changes to the position.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to sit, stand, use hands and fingers and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The individual must regularly lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus..

Hours:

The regular hours are either 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. or 9:00am to 6:00pm with a one-hour unpaid meal period, Monday - Friday. Hours may vary due to the needs of the department or College.

Salary:
$23-$25 per hour.

Classification:

This is a non-exempt, full-time, benefits-eligible position. This position is a grant funded position with expected funding from August 24, 2026 - August 23, 2029. This position is contingent upon continued and sufficient grant funding.

Reports To:

This position reports to the Principal Investigator (PI)

Additional Information:

This job description defines the essential job duties of the position. Harvey Mudd College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of the job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Employment is at-will and employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Harvey Mudd College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be given consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran's status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Harvey Mudd College you must apply for each position for which you believe you are qualified.