Principal Laboratory Technician

Rutgers University; New Brunswick, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Educational benefits

Job summary

Rutgers Cancer Institute, part of Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, NJ, is seeking a Principal Laboratory Technician in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, you will support senior lab staff, perform research experiments, maintain records, order supplies, and assist in complex biospecimen work.

The role requires an Associate’s degree with two years of related lab experience; willingness to work on-site; strong recordkeeping, safety, and

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus two (2) years of related research experience in a laboratory environment.
• Must maintain accurate records, follow lab safety guidelines and institutional policies.
• Occasional overtime flexibility is required.
• Effective oral and communication skills.
• Proficiency with database and reporting tools such as Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Performs standard experiments in microscopy, PCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry; prepares samples for multi-omics analyses.
• Manages animal husbandry and administration of medications to mice; collects specimens and performs histology and immunoassays.
• Cultures mammalian cell lines and conducts in vitro assays.
• Orders supplies and maintains inventory database.
• Prepares media, reagents, stains, and stock solutions; assists PI and senior staff with experiments and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Laboratory organization

Lab safety

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree + 2 years of related research experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Access

PowerPoint

Job description

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

Department

Department CINJ - Pediatric Hematology/On

Overview

RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE VISION , MISSION , AND CORE VALUES :

VISION :

Through our science, our evidence-based actions, our openness, and our respect for those we serve, we will advance cancer-focused research worldwide and reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area. By engaging with and empowering our exceptionally diverse populations, and addressing their questions and fears, we will engender hope for cancer patients and their families and play a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our communities by gaining and protecting their trust and providing access to the outstanding oncology care each person deserves.

MISSION :

Our mission is to accelerate scientific discovery focused on understanding cancer, innovating cancer treatment, and improving cancer prevention; to provide outstanding, novel, and compassionate patient care; to provide evidence-based and culturally informed education to physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, and the community; and to achieve cancer health equity in our state through outreach to and engagement of our extraordinarily diverse communities.

CORE VALUES :

Curiosity and Discovery: encouraging an environment of continuous inquiry, creativity, and innovation to generate new knowledge

Integrity: earning the trust of those we serve and each other through honesty, transparency, accountability, and continuous reflection

Collaboration: approaching all opportunities with an understanding that together we are better and can achieve more; promoting and maintaining an environment of teamwork and shared knowledge

Respect and Caring: consistently demonstrating caring, compassion, and respect through our words and actions
Perseverance: maintaining an unwavering commitment to our mission; embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and creating and recreating the path to achieve our goals

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Principal Laboratory Technician within Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Rutgers Cancer Institute.

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Principal Laboratory Technician will support the senior lab staff with conducting research experiments in the area of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

The Principal Laboratory Technician will maintain accurate records, order supplies, and conduct general maintenance of the lab. The Principal Laboratory Technician will also assist in intricate and complex cell-based, animal, and human biospecimen experiments, and prepare reagents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Performs standard experiments in the lab: Microscopy (light, fluorescent, or confocal); electrophoresis (nucleic acid and protein); PCR ; Western blotting; flow cytometry (multiparameter and spectral) of mouse and human specimens; DNA / RNA extraction; preparation of samples (murine and human) for ChIP-seq, ATAC -seq (bulk, single-cell, and spatial), RNA -seq (bulk, single-cell, and spatial), and other multi-omics approaches in collaboration with the appropriate institutional core facilities.
• Responsible for animal husbandry, administration of medications to mice via oral, intraperitoneal, intravenous, or other necessary routes of administration, collection of specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, organs), histology, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and analysis of biomarkers.
• Cultures mammalian cell lines (e.g. murine, human, etc.) and conducting cell-based in vitro assays.
• Orders laboratory supplies and maintains a database of supply inventory.
• Responsible for packing, unpacking, storing and classification of lab supplies and specimens (mouse and human).
• Prepares culture media, reagents, stains, and stock solutions.
• Assists the PI and senior laboratory staff with experimentation and research activities.
• Assists PI and senior lab staff in preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.

FLSA

FLSA Nonexempt

Grade

Grade 182

Salary Details

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 28.390

Mid Range Salary

Mid Range Salary 28.890

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 29.760

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.

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• 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

Standard Hours

40.00

Daily Work Shift

Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

Union Description

Teamsters 97

Payroll Designation

PeopleSoft

Seniority Unit

Terms of Appointment

Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility

PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree plus two (2) years of related research experience in a laboratory environment.

Certifications/Licenses

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to organize and maintain general laboratory functions is desired, must be able to maintain accurate records, follow laboratory safety guidelines and institutional policies.
• Must successfully complete mandatory lab safety/shipping training courses, as required by Rutgers Cancer Institute.
• Occasional overtime flexibility is required.
• Effective oral and communication skills.
• Must be computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in animal (mouse) work, analytic techniques (e.g. flow cytometry, biochemical assays, immunological assays, HPLC , mass spectrometry, etc.), and assisting and/or performing molecular and cancer cell biology experiments preferred.
• A working knowledge of R Studio or other bioinformatics software is a plus but not required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

• Standing, sitting, walking, talking and hearing.
• No special vision requirements.
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

• Lab environment. Moderate noise.
• Exposure to animal (mouse) blood, excrement, antineoplastic drugs, and possible exposure to infectious and communicable diseases. Universal precautions are mandatory.
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Special Conditions

Posting Number

26ST0255

Posting Open Date

02/10/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)

Home Location Campus

Downtown 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 an Associate’s degree plus two (2) years of related research experience in a laboratory environment?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

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: Non-Discrimination-Statement .

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