Lab Technician II – Wan Lab

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 20,664 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

The University of Missouri-Columbia is looking for a Research/Lab Technician II to support projects in the Influenza Systems Biology Laboratory. The successful candidate will assist with animal experiments, routine lab management, and conduct various assays related to emerging infectious diseases.

This role requires a high school diploma and at least one year of relevant experience. The anticipated pay range is $15.00 – $22.00 per hour, with benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in a related field.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds regularly and work while wearing lab PPE.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal experiments using various models.
• Conduct assays including serological assays and PCR/qRT-PCR.
• Perform laboratory management tasks such as inventory and reagent preparation.

Skills

Research experience in infectious diseases

Animal handling experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Overview

Research/Lab Technician (Research/Lab Technician II) at the Influenza Systems Biology Laboratory, University of Missouri (MU). The Wan Lab researches emerging and re‑emerging infectious diseases, particularly influenza and SARS‑CoV‑2, using integrated laboratory, clinical and computational methods. This role supports projects studying the molecular mechanisms of virus transmission, pathogenesis, and immunological responses, and the development of broadly protective vaccines. University website: http://sysbio.missouri.edu.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal experiments using models such as mice, ferrets, swine, and avian species.
• Assist with routine lab management tasks such as maintenance, inventory, and reagent preparation.
• Assist with influenza and other emerging infectious disease surveillance efforts.
• Perform necropsy on research animals following standard operating procedures.
• Perform protein expression following standard operating procedures.
• Conduct assays after training, including serological assays (hemagglutination inhibition, ELISA, and neutralization), ELISpot, virus propagation and purification, cell culture, RNA extraction, PCR/qRT-PCR, glycan microarray analyses, Biolayer Interferometry data analysis, and western blotting.
• Train students to achieve research goals after relevant experience is obtained.
• Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned that are project and/or discipline specific.

Work Environment

The BSL‑2, ABSL‑2, BSL‑3, or ABSL‑3 laboratory environment.

Physical Requirements

The incumbent must be able to lift 25 pounds regularly and work while wearing lab PPE, including N95 masks.

Shift

Monday‑Friday, 8 am‑5 pm with occasional evening or weekend work depending on experiment needs.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior research experience in infectious diseases.
• Prior experience with animal handling.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $15.00 – $22.00 per hour
Grade: GGS 005
University Title: Research/Lab Technician II
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume/CV.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short‑ and long‑term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.