Research Technician I, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Position Title: Research Technician I

This is a part-time, non-benefited position.  

Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry

College: College of Arts and Sciences

Location: Newark, DE

Pay: $20–$26 per hour, commensurate with experience

Hours: 15-29 hours per week

Context of the Job

Under the Principal Investigator's general direction, the Research Technician will maintain mammalian cell lines and support ongoing research projects. This role is essential for the daily operation of the laboratory, ensuring data integrity, maintaining safety standards, and fostering a collaborative learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students.

Major Responsibilities

Technical Research Support (80%)

• Maintain mammalian cell and tissue cultures and grow mammalian cells for a variety of experimental procedures.
• Ensure the safe handling, maintenance, and disposal of mammalian cell cultures in accordance with established biosafety protocols.
• Amplify and purify expression plasmids using bacterial cell systems.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records of all procedures and results.

Laboratory Operations & Compliance (10%)

• Coordinate all specimen handling, ensuring proper labeling, storage, and tracking.
• Maintain laboratory records and biological inventory.
• Coordinate the appropriate disposal of chemical and glass waste generated from lab operations, ensuring compliance with University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards.

Training and Mentorship (10%)

• Educate and train undergraduate and graduate students in standard operating procedures for mammalian cell cultures.
• Provide technical guidance to students and lab personnel to ensure consistency in experimental execution.

Administrative & Professional Collaboration (5%)

• Utilize proficient computer skills to input, edit, save, and retrieve research data.
• Maintain effective communication and work collaboratively with faculty, students, and industry representatives to advance research goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacology, or a related field).
• Prior experience with mammalian cell culture.
• Demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology techniques (PCR, Cloning, Electrophoresis) is a plus.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.

Essential Functions & Physical Requirements

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods while performing repetitive laboratory tasks (e.g., pipetting, loading gels, or microscopic work).
• Sufficient fine motor skills and manual dexterity to handle small samples, delicate equipment, and micro-tubes.
• Ability to lift, move, and carry laboratory supplies and equipment weighing up to 25–30 lbs.
• Visual acuity to read digital displays, monitor experiments, and distinguish color reactions or bands on electrophoresis gels.

Work environment:

• Work is performed in a laboratory setting with potential exposure to biological hazards (bacterial cultures) and hazardous chemicals (solvents, acids, etc.).
• Exposure to sharp objects (glass waste, needles) requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.
• Routine use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear.
• May involve occasional work in cold rooms or around loud equipment, such as centrifuges and fume hoods.