Laboratory Technician, Part-time - Molecular Biology and Genetics

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values 

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics shares a leading role in research and teaching in modern biology at Cornell University. The department has over 30 faculty and is housed in the Biotechnology Building, a state-of-the-art facility with individual laboratories and core research facilities.  Faculty members are responsible for teaching over 4,000 students in biology courses each year. The research and teaching interests of the faculty include fundamental, as well as medically relevant, problems in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, population genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, development, and macromolecular structure.

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically 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 position is located within the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. This position will provide technical support of lab operations related to teaching BioMG 2801 and BioMG 4400.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, set-up and clean-up of teaching labs; make and dispense media; prepare and sterilize materials; assist in orientation of the facility; assist in maintenance of overall laboratory, lab equipment and inventory; and keep the lab organized and clean.  Ensure that all laboratory protocols and procedures adhere to safety requirements.

This position requires work experience along with knowledge of equipment used in a laboratory environment.  Provide routine tasks associated with laboratory duties to including but not limited to, media preparation, set-up of lab equipment and stations for students, proper disposal of completed samples,  routine cleaning and washing of glassware, and routine cleaning of lab classroom spaces.

This is a part-time position at 20 hours per week. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and successful performance.