Laboratory Technician, Microbiology and Immunology at the University at Buffalo

The Phage; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University at Buffalo's Department of Microbiology and Immunology seeks a Laboratory Technician to join Dr. Yolanda Huang's lab. The role focuses on supporting daily operations, cultivating bacteria and phages, and contributing to sequencing and genomics projects.

Ideal candidates have an Associate degree with 1+ year lab experience and may hold a BSc in related fields. Opportunities for mentorship and professional growth are provided.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent; 1+ year lab experience required.
• Previous experience in wet-lab work and basic molecular biology.
• Candidates with sequencing/genomics experience encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Support daily laboratory operations and research activities.
• Purchase and manage laboratory reagent supplies.
• Maintain inventory and equipment.
• Assist in wet-lab design and execution of experiments.
• Cultivate bacteria and phages under aerobic/anaerobic conditions.
• Support bacterial genetics and molecular cloning.
• Perform protein purification and laboratory assays.
• Contribute to sequencing and functional genomics projects.
• Participate in bioinformatics analyses and omics projects.
• Contribute to scientific publications.
• Lab mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Lab experience

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Sequencing

Genomics

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Associate degree in a related field

BSc in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related field

Tools

HPLC

Mass spectrometry

Sequencing technologies

Job description

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University at Buffalo is seeking a Laboratory Technician, Microbiology and Immunology to join the laboratory of Dr. Yolanda Huang.

The research team investigates the functions of gut anaerobic bacteria and bacteriophages using high-throughput functional genomics. The laboratory also studies bacteria-phage interactions and how phages influence bacterial physiology and microbial community dynamics.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support daily laboratory operations and participate in research activities, including:

• Purchasing and managing laboratory reagent supplies
• Maintaining laboratory inventory and equipment
• Supporting laboratory safety and routine operations
• Designing and performing wet-lab experiments
• Conducting bacterial and phage cultivation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
• Supporting bacterial genetics and molecular cloning
• Performing protein purification and laboratory assays
• Contributing to sequencing and functional genomics projects
• Participating in bioinformatics and computational analyses
• Supporting various omics-based research projects
• Contributing to scientific publications

The laboratory provides close mentorship and opportunities for research and professional development.

Qualifications & Skills Required

• Associate degree in a related field
• At least one year of relevant laboratory experience
• Equivalent combinations of education and laboratory experience may be considered

Candidates with the following qualifications are particularly encouraged to apply:

• BSc in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a related field
• Experience with bacterial or phage cultivation
• Molecular biology experience
• Bioinformatics or computational research experience
• Experience with experimental laboratory research
• Experience with sequencing or genomics
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong communication skills
• Commitment to a minimum of two years

Experience with microbial genetics, protein biochemistry, assay development, analytical chemistry, HPLC, mass spectrometry, or sequencing technologies would be an advantage.