Seasonal Laboratory Assistant Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories TSE Section

Laboratory Assistant

The Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories is seeking a motivated, dependable, and detail-oriented individual to join our team. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on laboratory experience while supporting diagnostic testing that plays an important role in animal health and wildlife disease surveillance. As a Laboratory Assistant, you will help ensure specimens are accurately received, processed, and prepared for testing in a high-quality, fast-paced laboratory environment. The ideal candidate enjoys working with precision, is organized, and takes pride in contributing to meaningful diagnostic work. This is a seasonal position anticipated to run from mid-October through mid-December with the potential to extend into January 2027, depending on specimen submission volume. It requires a minimum commitment of 20-40 hours per week, scheduled in 4-hour blocks between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Availability during Thanksgiving break is required to support testing demands.

Full Consideration Date: Please apply by Tuesday, September 1st, 11:59pm (MT). This position will remain open until filled.

Brief Work Unit Description

The mission of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories (VDL) is to provide timely, accurate and pertinent animal disease diagnostic services and educational outreach to veterinarians, animal industries and animal interests. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will strive to meet the goals the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the University through research to develop new approaches to disease identification, investigation, prevention and through education of professional veterinary medical, graduate, and post-doctoral students.

Essential Job Duties

• Receive, organize, and accession incoming tissue specimens by accurately matching samples with submission documentation.
• Prepare tissue specimens for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing, including cutting, weighing, and processing samples according to established laboratory procedures.
• Transfer processed (homogenized) specimens into testing plates while maintaining quality and accuracy standards.
• Assist with routine laboratory maintenance, including cleaning work areas and restocking laboratory supplies.
• Support daily laboratory operations while following established quality and safety protocols.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Valid Driver's License - Must possess or obtain a valid driver's license by the employment start date and maintain such in good standing for duration of active employment.
• Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
• The CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory does not follow standard University Holiday Schedule due to the nature of the business. After hours and weekend work may be required.
• On-Call Status - In the event of an emergency declared by the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Director, overtime work or work outside normal operating hours will be required.
• Handling of and exposure to zoonotic and hazardous materials This position will handle formalin and formalin-fixed tissues. This position handles samples that may contain infectious agents and must follow PPE guidelines and appropriate standard operating procedures.
• Special Requirements/Other - Must safely lift and carry items that weigh up to 50lbs.
• May be required to be rabies vaccinated upon hire and maintain protective titers (blood drawn on a schedule determined by CSU Occupational Health to evaluate status).

Supervision

None

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications

Laboratory experience is preferred but not required.