EGCF Technician

Byrne Dairy; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 47,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Education benefits

Job summary

Cornell University’s Contract College is seeking a Research Technician II for the eDNA and Genomics Core Facility. This onsite, 1-year term role supports environmental DNA applications, including library prep, PCR/qPCR, inventory control, and meticulous data documentation on the Ithaca campus.

The position emphasizes hands-on molecular techniques, strong organizational skills, and collaboration with students, faculty, and staff within CALS and the Ashley School for the Environment.

Qualifications

• High school Diploma and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Hands-on experience with molecular lab techniques, potentially including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and Illumina library preparation.
• Experience inventorying and ordering lab supplies and reagents.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and clear record-keeping.
• Ability to follow protocols precisely, and troubleshoot problems.
• Familiarity with basic data management (Excel, Google Sheets, or similar).
• Ability to maintain project sample inventories and workflow tracking.

Responsibilities

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) processing and DNA extraction.
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) library preparation.
• qPCR and multiplex PCR analysis.
• Laboratory operations and inventory management.
• Documentation and data management.
• Safety and SOP compliance.

Skills

Molecular lab techniques

Data management

Inventory management

Record-keeping

Excel/Google Sheets

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Working Title: EGCF Technician (Onsite, 1 year, Fulltime, Fixed Term with Benefits)

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

This is a 1 year term appointment which may be ended or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

This is a full-time (39 hours per week) onsite term appointment which may be ended after 1 year or extended based on organizational needs, funding availability, and performance.

About the Ashley School – Natural Resources & the Environment, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

The eDNA and Genomics Core Facility sits with CALS’ new Ashley School for the Environment and Development. For over a decade, it has provided analysis and interpretation services to the Cornell community and external clients. Its partners include many divisions of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation who are interested in detecting species invasions, protecting rare species, and assessing biodiversity patterns in ecosystems.

The Opportunity

The position is located within the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Technician to support our Research Operation focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) and environmental genomics applications. This role will involve preparing sequencing libraries, performing PCR and qPCR assays, maintaining lab stocks, managing inventory, and keeping meticulous records. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience in a range of molecular biology techniques, strong organizational skills, and a passion for environmental science.

What You Will Do

Lab & Research Support

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) Processing & DNA Extraction
• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Library Preparation
• qPCR and Multiplex PCR Analysis
• Laboratory Operations & Inventory Management
• Laboratory Maintenance & Team Collaboration

Data Collection/Documentation

• Accurate recordkeeping and data management are critical to the success of the facility.

Laboratory Cleaning and Sanitation and SOPS

• Maintaining a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment is an important part of this role.

Safety Requirements

• Safety is a shared responsibility within the EGCF, and this position plays an important role in maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory environment.

Professional Development & Other position related responsibilities

• Support EGCF success through professional development, collaboration, effective communication, process improvement initiatives, and the completion of additional duties as assigned.

What We Need

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• High school Diploma and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination
• Hands‑on experience with molecular lab techniques, potentially including nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and Illumina library preparation
• Experience inventorying and ordering lab supplies and reagents
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and clear record‑keeping
• Ability to follow protocols precisely, and troubleshoot problems
• Familiarity with basic data management (Excel, Google Sheets, or similar)
• Ability to maintain project sample inventories and workflow tracking
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a laboratory environment
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience (or equivalent)
• Familiarity with environmental DNA (eDNA) methods and associated challenges (e.g. inhibition, degraded and low-concentration DNA)
• Basic data processing and analysis skills (e.g., experience running R scripts)

This position is fully onsite and located on the Ithaca campus.

There is no relocation assistance available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

University Job Title: Technician II

Job Family: Technical

Level: B

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Pay Range: $23.40 - $24.28

Remote Option Availability: Onsite

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Aubrey Lang

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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2026-08-20