Laboratory/Technical Assistant (Casual)

Laboratory/Technical Assistant (Casual)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Laboratory/Technical Assistant for the Waksman Student Scholars Program within the Waksman Institute. This role will support operation of the Waksman Students Scholars Program (WSSP), a year-round high school science outreach program. High school students in the WSSP isolate plasmid DNA clones generated from a species of plants and investigate the genes using molecular biology techniques in the laboratory and analysis of DNA sequences using online bioinformatics programs. The individual will report directly to the WSSP Program Directors. Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Reviews the student's analysis of DNA clones and provides feedback and guidance both in person during the summer programs at Waksman Institute and on-line during the academic year.
• Performs BLAST analyses and searches of the bioinformatic databases on the students' DNA sequences.
• Analyzes 1000 "unknown" sequences, reviews the quality of the sequence data and perform searches of the bioinformatic databases to compare with the students' answers.
• Organizes and submits "unknown" DNA sequences analyzed by high school students for publication on the NCBI DNA databases.

FLSA - Nonexempt

Salary Details - $20 - $30 per hour

Benefits - Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs

Position Status - Part Time

Working Hours - 19.5 hours per week

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology or a related subfield (e.g., Genetics, Biochemistry, Neurobiology), or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests, or other technical work may be substituted for the degree.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Abilities such as pipetting, creating molar solutions, running agarose and protein gels, planning genetic crosses of model organisms, and keeping laboratory records. Prior training in a molecular biology or genetics lab setting through course work or internship.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience in basic molecular biology (pipetting, setting up bacterial cultures, setting up PCR and restriction digest, pouring and running agarose gels) and bioinformatics (analysis of DNA waveforms, BLAST, literature searches.

Equipment Utilized - Agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, microcentrifuges. Software: DNA sequence chromatogram viewers, BLAST, protein translator programs, PubMed, PDB, Jmol.

Physical Demands and Work Environment - Laboratory setting. Standing at a bench or walking around reviewing student's work for 10% of the time.

Special Conditions - The position will require training in the Protection of Minors and a background check to be able to work with minors.