Cell Culture Technician

University of Central Missouri; Warrensburg (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Central Missouri’s Precision Nutrition and Molecular Center seeks a Biological Lab Technician to manage sterile tissue culture environments and support GMP/GLP workflows. You will maintain cell cultures, perform bio-assays, and ensure equipment is calibrated and inventory is accurate.

Responsibilities include documenting observations in electronic notebooks, assisting with experimental design, and preparing data and reports for biweekly meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology or related field is required.
• Two years of cell culture lab experience required.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine cell culture maintenance (thawing, feeding, passaging, and cryopreservation) of mammalian or microbial cell lines.
• Maintain a strictly sterile technique in hoods and cleanrooms to prevent contamination.
• Assist in executing bio-assays such as biocompatibility tests, mycoplasma detection, and cell-based drug response assays.
• Accurately document observations, cell counts, and results in electronic notebooks according to GLP/GMP standards.
• Calibrate and maintain equipment (incubators, autoclaves, inverted microscopes); manage media and reagent inventory.

Skills

Cell culture

Aseptic technique

Bioassays

Data management

Equipment calibration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or Biotechnology

Tools

Incubators

Autoclaves

Inverted microscopes

Job description

Description

Provides critical support for research and development by managingsterile tissue culture environments in the Precision Nutrition andMolecular Center (PMNH) at UCM. Responsible for the daily care ofcell lines, executing bio-assays, and ensuring all laboratoryequipment is calibrated and maintained to standard operatingprocedures (SOPs) or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Ensuresthat the laboratory has established written policies and proceduresfor a comprehensive quality assurance and quality control program.Maintains cell cultures as needed by PNMH faculty by procuring,propagating and banking various cell lines and making themavailable as needed.

Examples of Duties

60%

• Cell Culture Maintenance: Perform routine tasksincluding thawing, feeding, "splitting" (passaging), andcryopreservation of various mammalian or microbial cell lines.
• Aseptic Technique: Maintain a strictly sterileenvironment in hoods and cleanrooms to prevent contamination ofsensitive cultures.
• Experimental Support: Assist in executing bio-assayssuch as biocompatibility tests, mycoplasma detection, andcell-based drug response assays.
• Data Management: Accurately document observations, cellcounts, and experimental results in electronic notebooks ordatabases according to GLP/GMP standards.
• Equipment & Inventory: Calibrate and maintainspecialized gear such as incubators, autoclaves, and invertedmicroscopes; manage stock levels for media and reagents. Keeptemperature logs to ensure proper storage and growth of cells.

20%

• Maintains adequate levels of laboratory supplies.
• Develops and maintains accurate record-keeping systems.Maintains digital records of supply/equipment inventory, placespurchase orders, and reconciles shipments and billing.
• Participates in PNMH Center-sponsored educational outreachactivities as available.

20%

• Assists PMNH faculty with experimental design, developing andtroubleshooting experimental protocols.
• Assists PMNH faculty with preparing samples for bio-assays,such as PCR and gene sequencing.
• Prepare and provide ‘lab-status’ reports during biweeklymeetings

Typical Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology or a related fieldrequired.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of cell culture lab experience required.

Supplemental Information

Physical/Environmental Factors:

• Exposure to fumes and/or chemicals
• Lifting (weight) - 10 lbs
• Possible exposure to infectious or communicable diseases.