Laboratory Assistant IV - Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science - CBD

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement savings plan

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Transit benefit

Family Concierge

Fitness center

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking a Laboratory Assistant IV for the CBD Automation Lab to keep automated platforms running, ensure data quality, and assist researchers and students with workflows.

You will advise on experimental design, instrument operation and data analysis, support teaching sessions, and help with equipment planning and safety compliance. Join a collaborative, interdisciplinary team at CMU's Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department.

Qualifications

• Strong problem‑solving, reasoning, communication, and organization skills.
• A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain laboratory automation equipment, ensuring minimal downtime and safe use.
• Capture data with complete metadata and work with computational staff to format data for analysis.
• Train new users on safe and effective use of automation equipment and create SOPs and training materials.
• Prepare samples, reagents and equipment for teaching sessions and assist students during practicals.
• Oversee lab safety, biosafety, waste handling and compliance with institutional requirements.
• Assist with long‑term planning for equipment purchasing and service contracts, and supervise junior staff when needed.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Ray and Stephanie Lane Computational Biology Department (CBD) at Carnegie Mellon University is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to studying biological systems using computational methods. Faculty and researchers collaborate across fields such as computer science, biology, and statistics to tackle complex biological questions. Their work spans diverse areas including genomics, bioinformatics, systems biology, and computational neuroscience, driving innovation at the intersection of computation and life sciences. CBD’s Automation Lab is seeking a Laboratory Assistant IV to keep the lab's automated platforms running reliably, ensure they produce high-quality, analysis-ready data, and help researchers and students get the most from them. This role will serve as the go-to expert for a variety of automation equipment including both standalone systems and an integrated system. As the laboratory assistant, you are responsible for the safe and well-run operation of the lab. This includes overseeing lab safety, biosafety, waste handling and compliance with institutional requirements, and maintaining SOPs, maintenance logs, and calibration and quality control records. You manage service contracts, repairs and relationships with manufacturers, coordinate instrument bookings and user authorization, keep consumables and reagents stocked, and keep the space organized and ready for users and inspections. Beyond keeping the equipment running, this position plays a central role in both research and education. You advise researchers on experimental design, protocols, instrument operation and data analysis, and support teaching by preparing for and assisting with laboratory course sessions and training students and new users. The role also looks ahead, evaluating new instruments and methods and contributing to the lab’s equipment planning.

Core Responsibilities

• Equipment operation and maintenance: Monitor the performance of laboratory automation equipment and carry out routine and preventive maintenance. Troubleshoot faults, liaise with manufacturers and service engineers, and keep downtime to a minimum. Maintain accurate records of maintenance, calibration, usage and consumables. Ensure equipment is used safely and in line with institutional health and safety requirements.
• Data and computational integration: Make sure data from automated instruments are captured with complete metadata and saved to the lab's shared storage. Work with the lab's computational staff so experiments produce data in the format they need. Maintain scripts and software settings that schedule instrument runs and handle routine data transfer. Support automated workflows designed by the computational team, including follow‑up runs based on their analysis.
• Training and user support: Train new users on the safe and effective use of automation equipment, and assess their competence before granting independent access. Advise researchers on adapting protocols for automated workflows. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, user guides and training materials.
• Teaching support: Prepare samples, reagents and equipment for laboratory course sessions. Assist students during practical sessions and help them develop good laboratory technique.
• Lab management, leadership and development: Oversee lab safety and compliance, including biosafety, chemical and biological waste handling, and institutional health and safety requirements. Manage instrument scheduling and bookings, balancing the needs of research groups and teaching. Maintain the inventory of consumables and reagents, and order supplies so the lab stays stocked. Keep the lab space, benches and storage organized and ready for users and inspections. Contribute to longer‑term planning for the facility, including equipment purchasing and service contracts. Supervise and mentor junior staff, students or visiting users as opportunities arise. Identify ways to expand automation capabilities and help evaluate new technologies. Represent the facility at internal meetings and, where appropriate, at external user groups or conferences.
• General: Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the role as reasonably required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3‑5 years of technical experience with laboratory automation.
• 3‑5 years of laboratory experience in molecular biology.
• Strong problem‑solving, reasoning, communication, and organization skills.
• A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre‑employment background check.

Job Details

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
• Job Function: Researchers.
• Position Type: Staff – Regular. Full Time/Part time. Full time.
• Pay Basis: Hourly.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.

We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University.

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412‑268‑5072.

Please see Faculty Careers for additional information.