Instrument Technician I

Equipment Repair Service Instrument Technician 1

The Equipment Repair Service (ERS) Instrument Technician 1 performs preventative maintenance, diagnoses equipment issues, and completes basic repairs on scientific instruments in shared facilities, scientific services, and labs. Daily tasks are assigned by supervisors or lead technicians, often requiring collaboration with other ERS or SIS personnel.

Key responsibilities and essential functions include:

• Basic troubleshooting, repair, routine preventative maintenance actions, and calibrations. Occasionally contacting equipment manufacturers, equipment and component distributors, or third party service to gather information required for repairs. Testing equipment post-repair to ensure
• Performing administrative tasks such as updating equipment inventory databases including PM and repair histories, repair cost, warranty and service contact info.
• Communicating frequently and in detail with colleagues, customers, and supervisor.
• May be tasked to work with the Fabrication Service team on custom fabrication projects.
• Accountable for monitoring freezer farms, shared equipment rooms/spaces, and associated equipment. Provides support and basic training to equipment users to ensure the safe and appropriate use of equipment. Completes room safety checks (monitoring for and removal of mold growth in shared cold storage), and chemical storage and labeling management. Evaluates and stocks supplies for users and assesses equipment functionality 3 to 5 days. Maintains equipment usage logbooks, web-based reservation system, and disposes of trash as necessary. Other duties as requested by management, to ensure business and customer needs are met. Maintains and updates associated documentation (MSDS, user guides, signage, etc.).
• Equipment Relocations, Decommissioning and Redeployment: Following JAX policies, coordinates with the various groups necessary to safely transfer or dispose of equipment, especially during the lab closure process, when a PI leaves JAX. When situations arise where used scientific equipment becomes available for redeployment, this role will help coordinate the transfer of the equipment.

Educational requirements:

High School Diploma or GED, Associate's degree preferred.

Experience requirements:

1 years to 3 years

Degree and specialization requirements:

Area of specialization: A general understanding of electrical circuitry, a basic understanding of electronics, and/or an understanding of mechanical systems.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

A general understanding of electrical circuitry, a basic understanding of electronics, and/or an understanding of mechanical systems; usually attained through vocational or trade school or Associates Degree and 0 to 1 years of relevant experience in research lab environment

A good understanding of laboratory equipment operations and troubleshooting.

Established proficiency in troubleshooting and problem solving.

Established understanding of good safety practices and a demonstrated history of safe conduct.

Effective interpersonal skills with good "customer service" attitude for interactions with clients. Good written and verbal communication skills for reporting of information to The Jackson Lab community.

Incumbent must be comfortable interacting with a wide range of users and service providers and must be comfortable working in and effective contributing to a team operational environment.

Proficiency in using computers (both Mac and PC) and various software packages, e.g. Word, Excel, Data Management Systems, CAD, etc is required.

Possesses good reasoning and problem-solving skills. Must have the ability to perform physical tasks on a regular basis, including manipulating heavy or bulky scientific equipment.

IT1 may occasionally need to travel to other campuses for training and interactions with Scientific Services staff.

IT1 will often be required to lift up to 50 lbs.

Pay range: $22.04 - $31.96/hr, pay is determined by years of experience.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.