Career Center

Technician III

The Opportunity

This position involves supporting ongoing projects in the McMillan lab while gaining hands-on research experience. There is also an opportunity to design and pursue a small independent research project.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is a leading institution focused on purpose-driven, interdisciplinary science. It addresses global challenges through research, education, and outreach, emphasizing the interconnected nature of scientific systems. CALS prioritizes access to nutritious food, a healthy environment, and the wellbeing of communities worldwide. Its work spans local to global scales, aiming to create sustainable and impactful solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory records.
• Develop and document standard laboratory procedures and protocols.
• Conduct experiments involving plant growth and inoculation in soil-based gnotobiotic systems, standard soil conditions, and agar plate assays.
• Train and support lab members in plant growth systems, including gnotobiotic methods.
• Perform DNA and RNA extractions from environmental and microbial samples.
• Prepare samples for omics analyses.
• Prepare laboratory media, buffers, and reagents.
• Conduct standard microbiological assays and culture preparation.
• Analyze experimental data using basic statistical methods and software tools.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, equipment, and overall organization.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory protocols, disease containment procedures, and federal regulations.
• Follow chemical and environmental health and safety guidelines.
• Complete required safety training (e.g., lab safety, chemical handling).
• Manage and dispose of laboratory waste according to protocols.
• Assist in developing lab documentation, including handbooks and operating procedures.
• Support training, mentoring, and supervision of undergraduate researchers.

What We Need

Please submit either a CV or a resume, along with a cover letter, for further consideration.

• Associate's degree with up to 2 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Prior experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of lab safety protocols and proper waste handling procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with Outlook.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Educational background in plant pathology, plant biology, microbiology, environmental biology, or a related field.
• Experience with microbial techniques, including culturing, nucleic acid isolation using commercial kits, and dilution plating.
• Familiarity with molecular biology methods such as PCR, electrophoresis, and bacterial gene cloning.
• Experience with plant growth systems and plant handling/manipulation.
• Ability to work in and maintain sterile laboratory environments.

This is a full-time (39 hours/week) Contract College position that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility as needed. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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