Research Technician II

Research Technician II

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!

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Duties & Responsibilities

Laboratory Activities

• Performs standard laboratory procedures such as maintaining cell cultures requiring the use of sterile techniques, processing tissue samples and preparing slides using staining techniques.
• Maintains animal colonies, which include feeding, watering, sexing and breeding the subjects.
• Operates laboratory and experimental equipment such as microscopes, flow cytometers, Pcr machines, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, analytical balances, photometers, spectrometers, metabolic carts and various pieces of exercise equipment for human test subjects.

Data Collection

• Collects and compiles research data. Completes basic calculations of test results. Handles all aspects of information intake from study subjects.
• Provides routine and technical administrative support to research projects.
• Collects samples or data and performs lab analysis and/or quantifies and tabulates results. Compiles data and assists in routine preliminary analyses; maintains research data in laboratory notebook, writes summary reports and reports findings to investigators.
• Assists with basic mathematical and statistical analyses. Sets up and performs a variety of lab or field tests and operations. Records results, makes observations, analyzes data, and interprets test results.
• Refines, adapts, and develops procedures or techniques to fit specific experiment requirements; modifies existing equipment or designs and fabricates requisite equipment. Collaborates with the development of new strategies, techniques and equipment. Participates in the preparation of technical reports, summaries, protocols and quantitative results. Coordinates the acquisition of lab supplies. Provides research administrative support including coordinating schedules, handling intake, maintaining records and files.

Maintenance Activities

• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots scientific apparatuses, equipment and instruments. Provides basic instruction to others on the use of this equipment. Organizes supplies, materials or equipment and sets up equipment for laboratory experiments or demonstrations; may perform minor equipment maintenance.
• Maintains detailed records of controlled substances in the laboratory; packages waste material and arranges for disposal according to established procedures. Cleans glassware and other laboratory equipment or materials using appropriate standards; keeps laboratory area clean.
• Cleans, sterilizes, operates, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs equipment, machinery and instruments used for research. Orders lab supplies and maintains inventory. Assists in conducting routine laboratory research activities under general supervision, ensuring adherence to established protocols and procedures. Participates in the calibration and validation of laboratory instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability in research applications. Maintains detailed records of experimental procedures, observations, results, and any deviations from standard methodologies in accordance with standards. Maintains cleanliness and organization within the laboratory environment, ensuring all equipment and instruments are properly calibrated and functional. Performs a variety of laboratory or field tests and experiments following detailed protocols. Sets up experiments and tests.

Technical Activities

• Assists in performing surgeries and dissections on animals which includes setting up equipment and supplies, preparing animals for surgery, anesthetizing and monitoring heart rate of animals and harvesting tissue samples and readily accessible organs. Follows established procedures to prepare solutions, media and reagents using arithmetical calculations for measuring; performs library research to find appropriate procedures, as required.
• Performs clerical tasks such as filing, typing, labeling and billing; inventories and requisitions supplies and materials. Assists in training Research/Laboratory Glassware Attendants and/or students working in the laboratory.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of methods and analytical techniques used in both an exercise testing/physiology laboratory and a biochemical laboratory. These include, but are not limited to, metabolic carts, cycling/treadmill ergometers, flow cytometers, cell culture, QRT PCR, murine husbandry, murine dissection and tissue processing, immunohistochemistry and spectrophotometry.
• Ability to effectively communicate. Skill in recording 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 school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 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. These reports 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.

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