Laboratory Technician III

Laboratory Technician III

Job no: 541152

Work type: Staff Full-Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Veteran's Preference Eligible, Health Care Administration/Support

Department: 29030000 - MD-BIOCHEM - MOLECULAR BIOL

Classification Title:
Laboratory Technician III

Classification Minimum Requirements:
Associate's degree in an appropriate area and four years of related experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and six years of related experience. Appropriate college course work or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Job Description:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receive, track, and prepare biological samples for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) analysis, including tissue sectioning, staining, and reagent preparation.
• Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot MALDI mass spectrometry imaging instrumentation to support high-quality data acquisition.
• Maintain laboratory operations, including inventory management, equipment tracking, documentation, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate sample logistics with internal and external research collaborators, providing project updates and technical support throughout the study lifecycle.
• Train and support researchers, trainees, and staff in laboratory procedures, equipment use, and shared-resource policies.
• Develop, update, and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintain accurate records, and assist with data organization and project coordination.
• Contribute to collaborative research initiatives and perform other duties in support of the Center's research mission.

This position works in a laboratory environment with routine exposure to chemical reagents, cryogenic materials, and biological specimens, including human tissue. The role requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to all applicable safety protocols. The position involves standing for extended periods, fine motor precision work, and occasional lifting of laboratory supplies and equipment. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to accommodate instrument run schedules or project deadlines.

Expected Salary:
$22/hr to $25/hr, commensurate with education and experience.

Required Qualifications:
Associate's degree in an appropriate area and four years of related experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and six years of related experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Preferred:
The ideal candidate will:

• hold a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, biomedical science, or a closely related field.
• have two or more years of hands-on laboratory experience in a core facility, industry, or academic research setting.
• demonstrate experience with MALDI mass spectrometry imaging, particularly on Bruker timsTOF fleX platforms (including MALDI-2 post-ionization) or comparable MSI instrumentation.
• have familiarity with Bruker acquisition and processing software, including timsControl, flexImaging, and SCiLS Lab.
• have experience with automated matrix deposition systems, such as the HTX M5 or M3+ TM-Sprayer, or with sublimation-based matrix application.
• be proficient in cryosectioning using research-grade cryostats (e.g., Leica CM series), including work with fresh-frozen tissue and conductive ITO-coated slides.
• hold work experience with histological staining (H&E and related methods) and whole-slide or brightfield imaging for co-registration with MSI data.
• have previously worked with LC-MS or other mass spectrometry workflows.
• show familiarity with tissue handling under biosafety and human-specimen protocols, including FFPE and fresh-frozen material.

Additionally, the ideal candidate would have:

• experience maintaining laboratory records, SOPs, and inventory or ordering systems.
• demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and prioritize competing deadlines with minimal supervision.
• strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and diplomatically with faculty collaborators, trainees, external research partners, and vendors.
• prior experience in a core facility, shared resource, or other service-oriented research environment, with a demonstrated customer-service orientation toward internal and external users.
• experience coordinating sample logistics or project timelines across multiple institutions.
• experience training or mentoring graduate students, undergraduate mentors, or other junior laboratory personnel.
• basic computational literacy (file management, data organization, spreadsheet tools); familiarity with imaging or omics data formats is a plus.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume, with contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is eligible for veterans' preference. If you are claiming veterans' preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See UF's Veterans' Preference Page for more details.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required:No

Advertised: 01 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 16 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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