Laboratory Technician
Go to our website »

Position Number: 4951100
Location: San Diego, CA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Laboratory Technician

Position Title & Department: Laboratory Technician, Biology; College of Arts and Sciences - Biology

Posting #: 4834

Department Description:
As the liberal arts heart of the University of San Diego, the College of Arts and Sciences is filled with students who are versatile and multi-talented. No matter their major, graduates from the college are equipped with transferable skills that benefit them wherever their professional and personal ambitions lead.

Founded in 1949, the college has a rich history of providing the core curriculum for every undergraduate USD student, a tradition that continues today. By offering 29 majors, 37 minors and 3 graduate programs, the college is where undergraduate students begin and graduate students refine their paths towards academic excellence and personal achievement.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, a contemporary and engaged Contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanitys urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
The Biology Laboratory Technician is responsible for the operation and function of the Biology laboratories, facilities, and equipment. Oversees safety in the lab and field and ensures that all of the labs, facilities, and instruments are properly repaired and maintained.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs routine repair, calibration, and maintenance on standard equipment such as electronic balances, pH meters, pipettors, spectrophotometers, gel doc systems, plate readers, and centrifuges.
Performs minor repairs, adjustments, and replacement of bulbs and fuses on microscopes.
Replacement of electrical cords and plugs and other minor electrical repairs on equipment.
Participates in professional development opportunities, including training for care and maintenance of new and existing instrumentation.
Trains faculty and students in the use of laboratory instruments, and aids in the implementation of new techniques in research and teaching laboratories.
Repairs and calibrates, or arranges for these services, of other department equipment, such as the scintillation counter, miscellaneous spectrophotometers, glass washer repairs, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, autoclaves, Biopacs, bomb calorimeter, large centrifuges, incubators, gel docs, thermal cyclers, etc.
Arranges for service contracts or repair of instruments such as electron microscopes, confocal microscope, and HPLC and Mass Spectrometer systems.
Helps to manage the facilities of the Biology Department: teaching labs, research 10 labs, prep rooms and storerooms, technical and equipment rooms, including the aquarium room, animal suite, greenhouse, electron microscope facility, and imaging room.
Helps to manage the Biology Department's supply, repair, automotive, rental, miscellaneous and equipment budget lines; uses computer software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Workday and Concur in order to properly manage these budgets.
Purchases supplies, chemicals, specimens, and equipment for these areas; contacts and meets with vendors and negotiates prices of supplies and equipment. Manages databases of chemicals and equipment.
Coordinates with the Building Manager on various maintenance, repair, and other needs in the labs.
Trains lab assistants in safety regulations and monitors compliance with safety regulations in the labs; manages the collection and disposition of hazardous waste from the labs; writes safety protocols.
Researches and implements the introduction of new computers/software and equipment in the labs.

Special Conditions of Employment:

CA Driver's License

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in a scientific discipline (Biology preferred).
Five years experience as a Lab Technician.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Biology preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
Extensive knowledge of the operation, repair, and maintenance of general laboratory equipment.
Extensive knowledge in the use of microscopes and laboratory instruments, including balances, pH meters, centrifuges, electrophoresis equipment, sterilizers, and spectrophotometers.
Extensive knowledge in biology lab techniques, including sterile technique, precision weighing, making chemical solutions and the use of micro-pipetters.
Thorough knowledge in good laboratory practices, including lab safety, radiation safety, chemical storage and the management and disposition of chemical hazardous waste and bio-hazardous waste.
Considerable knowledge in the use of computers and computer software, including Word or WordPerfect, Excel, e-mail programs, Web searching programs and online accounting programs such as Workday and Concur.
Considerable knowledge in the use of image editing programs such as Photoshop. Working knowledge in fresh and saltwater aquarium systems.
Skill in the use of scientific equipment listed above.
Skill in troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of scientific equipment.
Skill in the use of digital imaging equipment, including digital cameras, microscope imaging, computer scanners, and printers.
Ability to keep all of the Biology labs, computers and equipment maintained and repaired properly and in a timely fashion.
Ability to learn the operation of new equipment and to train others in its use.
Ability to establish a work environment that treats employees with dignity and respect. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to successfully manage several Biology Department budget lines. Ability to take initiative and set goals and objectives and meet these goals and objectives.
Ability to purchase materials for the labs in a timely fashion.
Ability to coordinate with the Building Manager on building maintenance, repair, and safety needs.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

CA Drivers License.

Tools & Equipment Used:

Lab equipment listed above.
Electronic testing equipment.
Use of hand tools and power tools such as electric drills and saws.
Use of machine shop tools such as drill press, grinder and table saw.
Pickup truck.

Posting Salary:
$29.53 - $33.37 per hour; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:
Resume Required, Cover Letter Preferred Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application and, for full consideration, please upload a resume to your application profile for the hiring managers review. You are also strongly recommended to upload a cover letter to your application profile for the hiring managers review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:
37.5 Hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least five days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: January 19, 2024
Applications close: Open until filled

To apply, visit https://jobs.sandiego.edu/cw/en-us/job/496607/laboratory-technician

Job Details

Contact Us

Follow Us