Laboratory Technician-RAI or RAII (Prenni)

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is looking for a Laboratory Technician to manage training for partner labs as part of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative. The role involves developing curricula, tracking progress, and overseeing shipping tasks. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields and strong communication skills to support collaborative laboratory operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required for Research Associate I, with additional experience for Research Associate II.
• Strong organizational skills and excellence in written and verbal communication are essential.
• Experience in laboratory research environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for administering onboarding training for partner laboratories.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for shipping and receiving related to the Periodic Table of Food Initiative.
• Track onboarding progress and provide ongoing support for sample management.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, food chemistry, horticulture or related field

Job description

Laboratory Technician-RAI or RAII (Prenni)

Working Title Laboratory Technician-RAI or RAII (Prenni)

Position Location

Position Location Fort Collins, CO

Work Location

Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person

Research Professional Position

Research Professional Position Yes

Posting Number

Posting Number 202500721AP

Position Type

Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title

Classification Title Research Associate I

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week

Work Hours/Week 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range

Proposed Annual Salary Range $45,000 - $55,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 06/23/2025

Description of Work Unit

The Horticulture and Landscape Architecture department strives to discover, apply, and disseminate knowledge and technology while developing future leaders in the state, the nation, and the world. Through hands-on experiential learning in each of our three majors, Environmental Horticulture, Horticulture, and Landscape Architecture, we encourage human engagement with the landscape and demonstrate our focus to solve problems for people, agriculture, and the environment through scholarship and creativity fostered by teamwork and individual diversity.

Position Summary

This position will be primarily responsible for administering asynchronous onboarding training for partner laboratories as part of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative ( PTFI ) project. They will develop training curricula and resources, track participant progress, and generate reports for project leadership. Additionally, they will serve as the primary expert on the freezer management system and provide ongoing support for sample management to PTFI partner labs. The RAI will also lead all shipping-related tasks for PTFI operations, including the coordination of international shipments of reagents and standards, as well as the receipt and shipment of samples for PTFI service projects.

Required Job Qualifications

Research Associate I: Bachelor’s degree

Research Associate II: Bachelors degree and more than 3 years of relevant professional experience or a recent Masters degree and no other significant professional experience could be appointed upon joining CSU .

• Degree in chemistry, biology, food chemistry, horticulture or related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop SOPs and training materials.
• General familiarity with mass spectrometry technology.
• Experience in various methods of homogenization and extraction of plant and animal material for metabolomics analysis.
• Experience with supervision.

Job Duty Category

Job Duty Category Project Support

Duty/Responsibility

• The individual in this role will play a key part in supporting laboratory onboarding and metadata management for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative ( PTFI ). They will work closely with partner laboratories and internal teams to ensure that all required PTFI Core Metadata is accurately collected, reviewed, and uploaded to the Freezerworks sample management system. This includes auditing the New Food Collection Form, uploading finalized metadata, and generating unique Specimen, Sample, and Aliquot IDs, along with reports for participating labs.
• They will contribute to the organization of onboarding Kick-Off meetings, including the creation of customized slide decks that reflect individual lab timelines and deliverables. They will monitor the dedicated onboarding email account to ensure regular and timely communication with laboratories.
• This role is also responsible for tracking onboarding progress across all participating labs. In addition, they will lead the development and ongoing maintenance of asynchronous onboarding materials for the PTFI Ecosystem Hub, collaborating closely with technical experts to ensure content remains current and aligned with standardized protocols.
• Finally, they will provide technical support to the Data Curation team and Centers of Excellence (CoEs), particularly in navigating the platform and ensuring proper use of tools related to sample management and metadata submission.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 70

Job Duty Category

Duty/Responsibility

• Serve as the primary point of contact at Colorado State University ( CSU ) for shipping and receiving activities related to the Periodic Table of Food Initiative ( PTFI ).
• This role includes coordinating the shipment of PTFI standards, reagents, and other materials to international partner laboratories, ensuring compliance with relevant customs regulations and international shipping requirements.
• Additionally, the individual will manage the receipt of incoming samples submitted for PTFI service projects, verify that all associated documentation is complete and accurate, and ensure proper sample handling and storage upon arrival.
• The role also involves organizing and overseeing the outbound shipment of processed or aliquoted samples to external laboratories for downstream analysis, maintaining detailed records of all shipments, and proactively communicating with both internal teams and external partners to ensure timely and accurate delivery.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 30

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for full consideration, all materials must be received by June 23, 2025. Applicants should upload the following: (1) A cover letter addressing your qualifications; (2) resume; and (3) contact information of three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. For inquiries about the position, contact [e-mail].

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested 3

Maximum Requested 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).