Instructional Support Technician II - Cell & Molecular Biology
California State University-Sacramento
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Job summary
California State University, Sacramento is seeking an Instructional Support Tech II to provide independent support for undergraduate and graduate biology labs, manage supplies, and coordinate safety procedures. The role includes preparing cell cultures and reagents, maintaining equipment, and guiding student workers in materials preparation.
Applicants should have solid laboratory skills, familiarity with aseptic techniques, and experience in basic lab safety and equipment upkeep.
Qualifications
- Support undergraduate and graduate cell/molecular biology labs.
- Follow written protocols and plan activities.
- Safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals and biohazardous waste.
- Troubleshoot and perform basic maintenance on lab equipment.
Responsibilities
- Provide instructional support for biology labs (cell & molecular).
- Prepare reagents, cultures, and consumables for coursework.
- Coordinate safety, chemical inventory, and waste disposal.
- Lead work direction for students and teaching associates in materials prep.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): Tuesday, August 11, 2026 @ 11:55pm PT
Eligible on-campus applicants in California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) Bargaining Units 2,5,7, and 9 will be given first consideration in the recruitment.
The IST II is responsible for working independently to provide overall instructional support for undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses in cell and molecular biology, as well as support for related courses and research as necessary. This includes the ordering and preparation of supplies, reagents, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell cultures, and experimental set‑up. The IST II is responsible for safe storage and handling of materials and equipment in the cell/molecular area, laboratory preparation and ordering for cell/molecular courses, as well as preparing and/or maintaining all reagents, supplies and consumables, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell cultures and nucleic acid samples. The IST II coordinates chemical, laboratory and biological safety in assigned spaces, which includes maintaining a chemical inventory, ensuring proper handling and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste, conducting inspections, and maintaining updated safety documentation. They are also responsible for troubleshooting and basic routine maintenance of equipment used in cell and molecular biology laboratory courses, including biosafety cabinets, incubators, microscopes, thermocyclers, and other routine equipment. The incumbent also provides lead work direction to undergraduate and/or graduate students.
Salary step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience.
The Department of Biological Sciences at Sacramento State is one of the largest programs on campus, with approximately 1,500 undergraduate and 60 Master’s students, 30 permanent faculty, approximately 40 temporary faculty, and 12 technical and administrative support team members. Most of the Department is located in the Tschannen Science Complex, and courses cover the range of biology, including entomology, evolution, microbiology, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and conservation biology.
For more information, please visit: https://www.csus.edu/college/natural-sciences-mathematics/biology/
Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles of performing support services; knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques related to the discipline and the curriculum; knowledge of the materials and supplies in the curriculum and the curriculum and their uses.
Ability to plan, organize, and schedule activities; ability to operate technical equipment related to the discipline; ability to maintain records; ability to adjust and perform simple maintenance of technical and scientific equipment.
and
Experience
Equivalent to three 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 the area to which assigned.
or
Equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
or
Equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for two years of the required experience.
- Knowledge of the principles of performing support services for lower and upper division and masters-level cell and molecular biology courses
- Ability to work independently, handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects effectively, and follow written protocols.
- Knowledge of the use of materials and supplies in cell and molecular biological sciences laboratory courses.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety including state and federal guidelines and regulations for laboratory safety
- Ability to safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals and biohazardous waste.
- Experience and ability to use aseptic techniques to prepare and culture both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell cultures and freeze and recover viable eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell lines
- Experience with and ability to prepare and store and maintain DNA, RNA and protein samples, enzymes, agarose and SDS-PAGE gels, and other cell and molecular reagents.
- Experience with and ability to prepare buffers, PCR reagents, sterile culture media, and other cell and molecular reagent solutions.
- Knowledge of ordering laboratory materials needed for specific laboratory exercises and protocols.
- Ability to provide lead work direction and coordinate student assistants and teaching associates in the preparation of materials.
- Ability to troubleshoot and provide basic maintenance of laboratory equipment used in cellular and molecular biology courses, such as centrifuges, UV transilluminators, brightfield and fluorescent microscopes, cameras and digital imagers, spectrophotometers, thermal cyclers, pH meters, CO 2 incubators, pipettes, micropipettes, and glassware.
- Experience using basic computer software including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook.
- Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.
- Satisfactory completion of the background check process.
- B.S. or B.A. degree and graduate coursework in biology or related field.
- Experience working or assisting in teaching laboratories.
- Experience working with diverse student populations.
- Familiarity with general molecular biology and eukaryotic cellular biology experimental workflows.
- Knowledge of state and federal guidelines and regulations for storage and disposal of hazardous and biohazardous waste.
- Resume
Failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification.
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