PEREC Research Technician & Laboratory Operations Specialist

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC) at the Potomac Science Center (PSC) within the College of Science seeks a Research Technician & Laboratory Operations Specialist. This role ensures the operation, maintenance, and utilization of shared research infrastructure, field equipment, laboratories, vehicles, and boats to support faculty and student research.

You will support field and laboratory activities, improve equipment readiness, assist with grant-funded work, train

Qualifications

• Active driver’s license required to operate university vehicles.
• Experience supporting field and laboratory research.

Responsibilities

• Support faculty-led field and grant research projects using established methods.

Skills

Field sampling

Data management

Equipment maintenance

Laboratory operations

Training others

Tools

Milli-Q systems

Fluorometers

pH meters

Spectrophotometers

LC-MS

IRMS

FlowCam

YSIs

Job description

Department: College of Science

Classification: Research Staff 12-month

Job Category:Research Staff

Job Type:Full-Time

Work Schedule:Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Woodbridge, VA

Workplace Type:On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check:Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information English/Spanish before applying.

About the Department:

The Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), at the Potomac Science Center (PSC), is part of the Environmental Science & Policy Department in the College of Science (COS). PEREC serves as a hub for environmental research, education, and community engagement at George Mason University. Located within the PSC, the Center supports interdisciplinary research on freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, environmental change, biodiversity, water quality, and conservation. Through research collaborations, student training, field-based education, and partnerships with external organizations, PEREC connects scientific discovery with real-world environmental challenges facing the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and surrounding region.

About the Position:

The PEREC Research Technician & Laboratory Operations Specialist provides advanced technical, operational, and research support for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC) and associated College of Science faculty. This position ensures the effective operation, maintenance, and utilization of shared research infrastructure, field equipment, laboratories, vehicles, and boats. The position supports field and laboratory research activities, enhances instructional laboratory delivery, and promotes laboratory safety and compliance. This role serves as a central resource for faculty, staff, and students by improving equipment readiness, increasing research efficiency, supporting grant-funded activities, and expanding training opportunities across PEREC.

Responsibilities:

Research and Grant Support–Field, Laboratory, and Data:

• Support faculty-led and grant-funded research projects through application of established scientific and technical methods and procedures;
• Conduct and assist with field sampling, laboratory processing, sample preparation, organization, and data collection under the direction of project investigators;
• Collect water, sediment, benthic, plankton, hydrographic, and other environmental samples and measurements;
• Deploy, operate, retrieve, and maintain scientific field instrumentation and sampling equipment;
• Process, preserve, document, and prepare research samples for storage, analysis, and shipment, including maintaining appropriate chain-of-custody procedures;
• Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses using established protocols and quality-control procedures;
• Enter, organize, manage, and conduct quality-control checks on research data and assist with basic data summaries and analyses as directed by project investigators;
• Assist with preparation of research reports, technical documents, figures, tables, protocols, and other project deliverables for review by project leaders;
• Assist faculty with research project logistics, scheduling, and coordination among project personnel, collaborators, and external partners;
• Contribute technical and logistical information to the development of research proposals, project plans, and budgets as requested by project investigators;
• Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform routine repairs on shared scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment used in research activities, with limited faculty oversight;
• Maintain research equipment in operational condition and ensure readiness for field and laboratory use;
• Support operation and maintenance of equipment including, but not limited to, Milli-Q water systems and filters, YSIs, fluorometers, pH meters, spectrophotometers, LC-MS, IRMS, particle size analyzer, TOC analyzer, and FlowCam;
• Diagnose routine equipment problems and coordinate technical service, preventive maintenance, and vendor repairs when issues exceed the scope of in-house maintenance;
• Coordinate service contracts and equipment maintenance activities, including REMI-covered equipment;
• Maintain equipment records, calibration documentation, maintenance logs, operating procedures, and related technical documentation;
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and other technical guidance for shared research equipment;
• Train and provide technical guidance to faculty, staff, students, and project personnel in the appropriate operation, care, and routine troubleshooting of research instrumentation; and
• Manage equipment reservations, checkout, and loan systems to support efficient access to shared research resources.

Field Operations, Vehicle, and Boat Support:

• Operate and maintain field vehicles, trailers, and boats;
• Safely transport personnel and equipment to field sites;
• Serve as boat operator/captain during field missions;
• Monitor vehicle and trailer condition, including maintenance scheduling and safety checks; and
• Maintain readiness for emergency troubleshooting during field operations.

Laboratory Operations and Safety Compliance:

• Support safe and effective operation of research laboratories and shared facilities at PEREC/PSC;
• Maintain chemical and research-material inventories and associated safety documentation;
• Support appropriate storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of chemicals, biological materials, and hazardous waste in accordance with university and applicable regulatory requirements;
• Maintain research laboratory equipment, workspaces, and shared facilities in an organized and operational condition;
• Monitor availability of laboratory supplies and consumables necessary for research activities and communicate purchasing needs to appropriate personnel; and
• Support compliance