Job TitleLaboratory Technician Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Plant Pathology & Microbiology Proposed Minimum Salary$16.50 hourly Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description Responsibilities: Prepares lab materials and maintains laboratory equipment. Carry out experimental procedures with fungal organisms and records results for experiments. Sets-up and maintains equipment for the assigned laboratory and updates laboratory computers. Improves and develops new experiments to be implemented into assigned laboratories. Assists graduate students and research scientists with their research projects. Maintains inventory and orders parts and supplies as needed. Maintains laboratories according to Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) specifications. Provides logistical support with computers in the laboratory. Performs laboratory and prep room cleanup. Other duties as required. Required Education and Experience: Associate degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. One year of related lab work experience. Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor of Science degree in bioenvironmental sciences, environmental studies or a related field. Experience in environmental microbiology, fungal biology, or plant science laboratory experiments. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of laboratory equipment, scientific apparatus, and computer equipment. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others and ensure attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to prepare weekly and monthly experiment reports. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Experience in environmental microbiology, fungal biology, or plant pathology research. Ability to culture and handle fungal species, including Fusarium, Botrytis, Penicillium, Cordyceps, and Mucor species for environmental stress assays. Familiarity with fungi identification, fungal plant inoculation (cotton, tomato, corn), and plant disease assays. Experience with fungal viability PCR assays. Understanding of microscope operations for fungal pathogenesis experiments. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan
