Instructional Microbiology Lab Technician & Stockroom Support

The California State University; Pomona (CA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly Pomona seeks an instructional laboratory support specialist to back BIO courses from microbiology to molecular biology labs. The role includes preparing teaching materials, microbial cultures, tissue culture materials, and media for classes serving hundreds of students each semester.

You will train student assistants and coordinate with faculty to ensure smooth lab operations. The position covers stockroom management, procurement, safety compliance, equipment maintenance, and

Qualifications

• Combination - Equivalent to four years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to specialty area to which assigned.
• Equivalent to four years of experience providing instructional support services for a related unit or discipline, or in producing materials or supplies or repairing equipment in a discipline related to specialty area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods related to performing support services; knowledge of the principles, information, methods and techniques related to discipline to which assigned; knowledge of the materials and supplies related to the curriculum, their characteristics, and uses.

Responsibilities

• Independently support laboratory preparation and instructional support for BIO 2060L, BIO 3620L, BIO 3640L, BIO 4360L, BIO 4635L, BIO 4650L, BIO 4670L, BIO 4680L, and BIO 4690L.
• Provide partial support for BIO 1110L, BIO 1150L, BIO 1210L, BIO 1220L, BIO 4660L, and other Biology instructional laboratories as assigned.
• Coordinate laboratory setup requirements with faculty and Teaching Associates (TAs), ensuring all instructional supplies, equipment, reagents, media, microbial cultures, tissue culture materials, specimens, PPE, and support resources are available for assigned laboratory classes and support other courses as needed.
• Assist instructors and students in preparing teaching laboratories with instructional materials for microbiology, molecular biology, and cell biology experiments.
• Organize and fulfill daily and weekly preparation requests by providing microbial cultures, tissue culture materials, media, solutions, reagents, laboratory supplies, specialized biological materials, and other instructional resources for teaching and research laboratories.
• Assist instructors in the development of new or modified laboratory courses and experiments.
• Maintain microbial cultures, tissue culture materials, and other biological resources to ensure their quality, viability, availability, and compliance with instructional and research laboratory standards.
• Evaluate laboratory materials, equipment, and procedures to optimize instructional quality, laboratory efficiency, and safety.
• Establish and/or refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for microbiology and cell culture operations based on university standards and best practices.
• Provide technical guidance in the preparation of microbiological media, tissue culture materials, laboratory solutions, reagents, and other instructional materials in accordance with established protocols and safety requirements.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, clean, calibrate, store, and prepare laboratory equipment and instrumentation used for microbiology, molecular biology, and cell biology instruction.
• Assist instructors with laboratory preparation sheets, laboratory manuals, and instructional support needs for assigned courses.
• Maintain the Building 4 stockroom inventory of supplies, equipment, media, reagents, and biological materials required for supported instructional laboratories.
• Coordinate with other staff technicians in the Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) area, Central Biology Stockroom (4-2-557), Building 8 Stockroom, greenhouse, vivarium, and other biology work areas to ensure stockrooms remain fully operational and adequately supplied.
• Assist with stockroom coverage during business hours.
• Oversee the organization and operation of the microbiology preparation room to ensure efficient laboratory support for instructional activities serving more than 500 students each semester.
• Obtain vendor quotes and order instructional laboratory supplies, equipment, biological materials, replacement parts, and services using university purchasing systems while remaining within department budget.
• Reconcile vendor purchases and procurement transactions monthly.
• Serve as a primary contact with vendors and service providers to coordinate purchasing, deliveries, maintenance, and laboratory support services.
• Maintain responsibility for the care, operation, and maintenance of specialized microbiology, molecular biology, and tissue culture equipment used in instructional laboratories.
• Assist with laboratory renovations, equipment installations, and facility improvement projects supporting instructional operations.
• Attend department committee meetings related to equipment, laboratory operations, safety, and instructional exercises.
• Participate in professional development and technical training to remain current in laboratory safety, purchasing procedures, microbiological methods, and emerging instructional technologies.
• Maintain compliance with university, EH&S, Cal/OSHA, CUPA, and other applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Coordinate with EH&S regarding laboratory inspections, regulatory compliance activities, hazardous materials management, and laboratory renovations.
• Conduct laboratory and safety inspections; inspect instructional spaces and safety equipment; identify hazards, report incidents, and document corrective actions.
• Maintain student safety training records, laboratory inspection reports, incident documentation, and other regulatory compliance records.
• Schedule and direct the daily work assignments of student assistants to ensure the microbiology stockroom operates efficiently, safely, and meets departmental instructional needs.
• Monitor the performance of student assistants and graduate Teaching Associates assigned to the area and provide feedback to the Chair/HEERA Manager.
• Train undergraduate and graduate student assistants in the safe handling, storage, maintenance, and disposal of microorganisms, tissue culture materials, laboratory equipment, and biological specimens.
• Track and verify student assistant work hours, maintain accurate timesheet records, and ensure compliance with university timekeeping procedures.
• Assist with the recruitment, onboarding, and training of student assistants, including participating in interviews and providing input on candidate selection.

Job description

Cal Poly Pomona seeks an instructional laboratory support specialist to back BIO courses from microbiology to molecular biology labs. The role includes preparing teaching materials, microbial cultures, tissue culture materials, and media for classes serving hundreds of students each semester.

You will train student assistants and coordinate with faculty to ensure smooth lab operations. The position covers stockroom management, procurement, safety compliance, equipment maintenance, and