Research Technician II

Research Technician II

Posting Number
req26698


Department
Nutritional Sci Wellness - EXT


Department Website Link




Location
Tucson Campus


Address
1177 E. Fourth Street, Shantz Building #38, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA


Position Highlights


The Department of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness - Extension seeks an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our group as a Research/Laboratory Assistant (Research Technician II) to work under the direction of Dr Richard Simpson. The successful individual will be expected to assist with ongoing research projects in both an exercise testing/physiology laboratory and a biochemical laboratory. Dr Simpson's research activities are predominantly concerned with how exercise impacts the immune system, utilizing both human and animal research models.


Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!


The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .


Duties & Responsibilities


Laboratory Activities

• Performsstandard laboratory procedures such as maintaining cell cultures requiring theuse of sterile techniques, processing tissue samples and preparing slides usingstaining techniques.
• Maintainsanimal colonies, which include feeding, watering, sexing and breeding thesubjects.
• Operateslaboratory and experimental equipment such as microscopes, flow cytometers, Pcrmachines, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, analytical balances, photometers,spectrometers, metabolic carts and various pieces of exercise equipment forhuman test subjects.

Data Collection

• Collects andcompiles research data.
• Completes basiccalculations of test results.
• Handles allaspects of information intake from study subjects.
• Providesroutine and technical administrative support to research projects.
• Collectssamples or data and performs lab analysis and/or quantifies and tabulatesresults.
• Compiles dataand assists in routine preliminary analyses; maintains research data inlaboratory notebook, writes summary reports and reports findings to investigators.
• Assists withbasic mathematical and statistical analyses.
• Sets up andperforms a variety of lab or field tests and operations. Records results, makesobservations, analyzes data, and interprets test results.
• Refines,adapts, and develops procedures or techniques to fit specific experimentrequirements; modifies existing equipment or designs and fabricates requisiteequipment.
• Collaborates withthe development of new strategies, techniques and equipment.
• Participates inthe preparation of technical reports, summaries, protocols and quantitativeresults.
• Coordinates theacquisition of lab supplies.
• Providesresearch administrative support including coordinating schedules, handlingintake, maintaining records and files.

Maintenance Activities

• Operates,maintains and troubleshoots scientific apparatuses, equipment and instruments.
• Provides basicinstruction to others on the use of this equipment.
• Organizessupplies, materials or equipment and sets up equipment for laboratoryexperiments or demonstrations; may perform minor equipment maintenance.
• Maintainsdetailed records of controlled substances in the laboratory; packages wastematerial and arranges for disposal according to established procedures.
• Cleansglassware and other laboratory equipment or materials using appropriatestandards; keeps laboratory area clean.
• Cleans,sterilizes, operates, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs equipment, machineryand instruments used for research.
• Orders labsupplies and maintains inventory.
• Assists inconducting routine laboratory research activities under general supervision,ensuring adherence to established protocols and procedures.
• Participates inthe calibration and validation of laboratory instruments to ensure accuracy andreliability in research applications.
• Maintainsdetailed records of experimental procedures, observations, results, and anydeviations from standard methodologies in accordance with standards.
• Maintainscleanliness and organization within the laboratory environment, ensuring allequipment and instruments are properly calibrated and functional.
• Performs avariety of laboratory or field tests and experiments following detailedprotocols.
• Sets upexperiments and tests.

Technical Activities

• Assists inperforming surgeries and dissections on animals which includes setting upequipment and supplies, preparing animals for surgery, anesthetizing andmonitoring heart rate of animals and harvesting tissue samples and readilyaccessible organs.
• Followsestablished procedures to prepare solutions, media and reagents usingarithmetical calculations for measuring; performs library research to findappropriate procedures, as required.
• Performsclerical tasks such as filing, typing, labeling and billing; inventories andrequisitions supplies and materials.
• Assists intraining Research/Laboratory Glassware Attendants and/or students working inthe laboratory.

Knowledge, Skillsand Abilities

• Knowledge ofmethods and analytical techniques used in both an exercise testing/physiologylaboratory and a biochemical laboratory. These include, but are not limited to,metabolic carts, cycling/treadmill ergometers, flow cytometers, cell culture, QRTPCR, murine husbandry, murine dissection and tissue processing,immunohistochemistry and spectrophotometry.
• Ability toeffectively communicate.
• Skill inrecording research data.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High schooldiploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Minimum of 3years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and workexperience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or Immunobiology.
• Three years experience as a research assistant/laboratory technician.
• Evidence of contributions to scholarly research outputs (i.e. published scientific papers or abstracts).

FLSA
Non-Exempt


Full Time/Part Time
Full Time


Number of Hours Worked per Week
40


Job FTE
1.0


Work Calendar
Fiscal


Job Category
Research


Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits


Rate of Pay
$16.50 - $20.63


Compensation Type
hourly rate


Grade
3


Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.


The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.


Career Stream and Level
OC2


Job Family
Research & Lab


Job Function
Research


Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)


Number of Vacancies
1


Target Hire Date
8/31/2026


Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates
Richard Simpson, Professor Nutritional Sciences
View email address on click.appcast.io


Open Date
8/4/2026


Open Until Filled
Yes


Documents Needed to Apply
Resume


Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at View email address on click.appcast.io.