CALS- Technician II- Department of Entomology

Technician II

The Opportunity

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging 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 inclusion, belonging, 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

About the College

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.

What We Need

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.

• 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.