General Summary:

This person will set up and organize course-based laboratories in the Biology Department. The person provides technical support in work with the director of teaching labs, other technicians, teaching assistants, professors, and instructors who teach a variety of different courses in the Biology Department.

This person must be experienced in a variety of basic biological and chemical laboratory protocols. They will evaluate, pilot, and troubleshoot lab exercises; help to edit lab manuals; maintain computers and lab equipment; update electronic records; work with databases; and help train and supervise work-study students.

This person is expected to foster good working relationships with others; be organized, productive and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment; work independently; prioritize duties and delegate work expeditiously; and remain focused and on-task despite interruptions.

Examples of Duties:

• Work with faculty to design complex lab experiences and pilot and trouble-shoot experiments.

• Multi-task, organize and delegate work, and improve the complicated operation of running multiple courses and lab sections simultaneously during a semester.

• Operate a variety of experimental apparatuses, execute appropriate experimental methods, and use proper protocols for using and mixing chemical reagents. Instruments and equipment used by the technician include but not are not limited to autoclaves, standard microscopes, computer-interfaced microscopes, imaging software, computer-interfaced sensors and respirometry chambers, electrophoresis equipment, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, spectroscopes, and plankton sampling equipment. The technician will calibrate balances, store samples using proper storage procedures, maintain live cultures, dispense liquid nitrogen, and handle and store hazardous material using proper protocols.

• Set-up, clean up, take down, and re-set a variety of course laboratories. Monitor course lab sessions as they take place to ensure correct execution, operation of equipment and compliance to SOPs (standard operating procedures), and troubleshoot issues as they arise to enhance the quality of the student lab experience.

• Orient, help train, and supervise undergraduate lab assistants. Orient and help train graduate teaching assistants. Confer regularly with the technical staff, instructors, and graduate student teaching assistants to ensure the quality and continuity of the labs.

• Assist in the development of new laboratory exercises. Provide quality control and incorporate changes into the lab manuals and preparatory notes.

• Maintain the safe operation of the labs. This includes the storage and handling of chemicals, liquid nitrogen, hazardous waste, bio-hazardous waste, UV lamps, autoclaves, and other equipment. Inform faculty, teaching assistants, researching graduate students and undergraduates about the proper use of these materials and equipment. Provide safety protocols associated with experiments, equipment, or protocols that may be hazardous without proper precautions.

• Track and properly dispose of biohazardous and other chemical wastes via proper working procedures and coordination with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety.

• Maintain knowledge of equipment and disposables used in courses.

• Assist with maintaining space and equipment inventories.

• Ensure the secure use of rooms and equipment. Provide security for computers and peripherals, as well as other high-value items such as balances, tablets, health-care equipment, and microscopes.

• Monitor the general operation of equipment; provide maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs; and request repairs by vendors as needed.

• Maintain laboratory and prep space environments to accommodate the needs of laboratory preparation, classes, experiments, and presentations. Assist with relocation and storage of lab equipment as needed.

• Maintain organization of inventories of lab disposables as well as reusable hardware and equipment. Maintain inventories of chemicals and preserved specimens.

• Assist the lab director and other staff in recommending new purchases, as needed, to replace outdated or broken instruments. Help to surplus obsolete and broken equipment, salvage and reconstitute devices when possible out of multiple components that would otherwise become surplus.

• Assist the lab director to support shared facilities and help maintain shared equipment (e.g. autoclaves, nanodrop, flow cytometers).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical, professional, or educational laboratory experience is required. Strong working knowledge of laboratory procedures in multiple areas of Biology. Attention to detail, good record-keeping skills, strong written and oral communication skills, and computer literacy with both Mac and PC operating systems are necessary. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work well with others. Incumbents will be required to carry supplies and items weighing up to 30 lbs. A bachelor's degree in Biology or related field, preferred but not required.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional work references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Grade: 16 Hourly Rate: $28.21

This is a non-exempt union position.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the ADA/504 Coordinator Andrea Haas or 617-287-5148.