Laboratory Researcher IV

Rutgers University; New Brunswick, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement benefits

Educational benefits for employees

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ seeks a Laboratory Researcher IV to provide professional technical support in the Plant Biology lab and to manage the Duckweed Stock Cooperative.

You will curate over 900 strains, optimize growth, perform DNA barcoding and phenotyping, and assist in lab management including task assignment and waste disposal in an on-site setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology-related discipline is required.
• Experience with independent research and laboratory management is preferred.
• Ability to use common software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reports and inventory is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Rutgers Duckweed Stock Cooperative with 900+ strains and optimize growth conditions.
• Maintain updated database and financial records for the facility.
• Curate strains via DNA typing (PCR-based and sequencing) and phenotype growth rates.
• Assist in lab management, assign chores, and oversee waste disposal.
• Maintain Duckweed collection in greenhouse/growth chambers and perform routine molecular biology techniques.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology-related discipline

Tools

DNA barcoding

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

Lab management

Job description

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)

Department

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication’s 2023 list. Rutgers’ commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation’s military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Laboratory Researcher IV for the Department of Plant Biology.

• Provides professional level technical support in two distinct functions within the laboratory of Professor Eric Lam (the supervisor) in the Department of Plant Biology.
• Manages the Rutgers Duckweed Stock Cooperative, with primary function to maintain over 900 strains that have been curated over the past years. In this capacity, regular scheduling of subculture and optimization of growth conditions for the strains in the Collection will be required.
• Maintains an updated database for this activity, as well as the financial records of this facility will be other responsibilities in this function for this position.
• Provides the proper curation of the strains retained in this plant collection through their typing using established DNA barcoding methodologies via PCR -based and sequencing methods. In addition, systematic phenotyping of the strains in the collection such as measurement of their relative growth rates, will be performed to add more value to this collection for the community.
• Assists Prof. Eric Lam in the management of the laboratory such as assignment of individual chores to lab members and waste disposal will constitute the second type of functions for this post.
• Performs duties involved with maintaining the Duckweed Collection such as making sure that the strains are kept contaminant-free, to maintain them in the greenhouse and/or growth chambers, and to carry out routine molecular biology techniques.

FLSA Nonexempt

Grade 03

Salary Details

Minimum Salary 54027.000

Mid Range Salary 68383.000

Maximum Salary 82739.000

Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time

Working Hours 37.5

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift Day

Work Arrangement This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description Admin Assembly (MPSC)

Payroll Designation PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a biology-related discipline.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with independent research and with supervising and coordinating laboratory operations.
• Strong, demonstrated ability in independent research and laboratory management.
• Ability to use popular computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) for report writing, data graphing, recordkeeping, website update, and inventory control is required.
• Ability to quickly learn new techniques and instrumentations for biological research.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong motivation to learn new techniques and pride in one’s work.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree and two years of post-graduate research with duckweeds.
• Laboratory experience in basic plant science, plant cell biology, recombinant DNA techniques, and genomics methodology.
• Experience in methods such as nucleic acids ( DNA and RNA ), gel electrophoresis, and plant biology.
• Experience in organizing service centers and user facilities.
• Quick learner to adopt new methods and troubleshooting when necessary.
• Tissue culture hood, PCR cycler, gel electrophoresis.

Equipment Utilized

• Tissue culture hood, PCR cycler, gel electrophoresis.

Posting Number 26ST1834

Posting Open Date 09/24/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus

Home Location Campus Cook (RU-New Brunswick)

City New Brunswick

State NJ

Location Details Pre-employment Screenings All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in a biology-related discipline?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents

• Writing Sample 1