Laboratory Prep Technician

South Dakota Board of Regents; Brookings, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking a self-motivated Laboratory Program Assistant to support teaching and research in the Biology and Microbiology department. The role involves assisting instructors, preparing and maintaining teaching labs, and ensuring safety standards are followed.

Responsibilities include lab setup, teardown, inventory control, waste disposal, and supervising student assistants while promoting a safe, organized laboratory environment within the College of Natural

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe handling of common laboratory tools and safety protocols.
• Experience in maintaining lab inventory and ordering supplies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and basic data recording.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with instructors to ensure teaching lab needs are met.
• Assist with setup, teardown and cleaning of teaching labs.
• Maintain the prep room and manage supplies, waste disposal, and safety compliance.
• Train and supervise graduate and undergraduate lab assistants.

Skills

Lab safety

Inventory management

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Pipettes

Microscopes

Centrifuges

Job description

South Dakota State University ( SDSU ) is currently seeking a self-motivated and customer-service oriented Laboratory Program Assistant to join the Department of Biology and Microbiology within the College of Natural Sciences

This Department of Biology and Microbiology offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs including Human Biology, Microbiology, and Biotechnology. Together these majors train over 500 undergraduates for admission to professional programs in healthcare domains, graduate school, careers in industry, and a variety of other career paths. The Department is a key driver of South Dakota State University’s R1 Our Way mission to expand federally funded research and has active research and graduate programs focused on mammalian physiology and cell biology, microbial biology, plant physiology and molecular biology, and bioprocessing biotechnology. Department members lead or contribute to large research programs including multiple federally-funded research centers and engage in STEM outreach and workforce development. South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities

This position provides technical support for the academic and instructional labs within the department. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Communicating closely with instructors to ensure teaching lab needs are met
• Working effectively as a team member in supporting general laboratory operation
• Timely preparation of laboratories including set-up and take-down of teaching materials and equipment and cleaning and organizing of teaching labs.
• Maintenance of lab prep room including keeping inventory of and ordering supplies as needed as well as proper disposal of all waste (biohazard, chemical, etc.)
• Training and managing graduate and undergraduate laboratory assistants
• Adherence to and education of others on appropriate safety standards and protocols

Benefits

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Safe handling and cleaning of common laboratory tools (pipettes, microscopes, centrifuges, etc.)
• OSHA guidelines and safe laboratory practices
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in laboratory testing
• Basic laboratory principles, practices and procedures including equipment operation and general terminology
• Inventory Management
• Microsoft Office Suite

Skill & Ability to:

• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Effective organizational, time-management and record-keeping
• Understand and interpret laboratory protocols and procedures including chemical and biological safety standards
• Train, supervise and/or direct the work of others effectively
• Working effectively in a team environment as well as independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree by start date

Comments

This position is classified as a Laboratory Program Assistant.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Protective Clothing

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Balancing, Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Stairs, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting light, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Standing for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Walking, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)

Describe any of the conditions selected

Fine Finger Manipulation – basic keyboarding and computer skills

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Animal Handling, Atmospheric Contaminants (includes odors & fumes), Biohazard, Changes of Temperature, Chemical Hazards, Exposure or Potential Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids, Extreme Cold, Extreme Weather Conditions (wind, rain, snow, humidity), Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Where did you hear about this position?
  • LinkedIn
  • SDBOR Employment Site
  • South Dakota Department of Labor
  • Employee Referral
  • Department Announcement / Inside State
  • Handshake
  • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
  • Industry Conference
  • Search Engine - Please specify
  • Employment Agency - Please specify
  • Newspaper - Please specify
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
  • Radio - Please specify
  • APLU
  • List Servs - Please specify
  • Alumni
  • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents

The South Dakota Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Board of Regents will take Affirmative Action to ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination. In addition, the Board of Regents fully supports incorporation of non-discrimination and Affirmative Action rules and regulations into all of its employment practices. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting the appropriate Human Resources office. Please see the Contact Us section of this webpage for more information.

Notice to all applicants: If you are selected as a finalist, job references and a background check may be conducted.

South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capital Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3455