Research Assistant

Montgomery County Maryland; Manhattan, Northern (KS, KY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University’s Research Assistant role focuses on BSL-2 and BSL-3 zoonotic and infectious viral projects, including working with animals, under Dr. Richt.

This on-site position requires a bachelor's degree and a valid driver's license, with preferred background in biology and molecular techniques such as RT‑PCR and cloning.

You will plan and conduct experiments, maintain records, assist in manuscripts, and help develop biosafety procedures for high-containment work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced knowledge in biology and lab methods is valued.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct experiments, run, calibrate, and troubleshoot general laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Keep laboratory records and generate reports; write posters, manuscripts, and articles.
• Perform diagnostic testing on animal samples and assist in biosafety documentation.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Biology knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

B.S. degree or equivalent in animal science or biology

Tools

RT-PCR

PCR

Cloning

Cell culture

Biosafety

Job description

About This Role

Research Assistant position for BSL-2, BSL-3 Zoonotic and infectious viral projects, includes working with animals at the BSL-2 and BSL-3 level of bio-containment. Position reports to senior leadership under the direction of Dr. Juergen Richt.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree. Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess the advanced theoretical knowledge, highly specialized methodologies, and critical problem-solving skills fundamental to this work. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential experience inherent in a formal degree program.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.S. degree or equivalent in animal science or any field of biology, Microsoft Office knowledge and skills. The candidate will assist in the laboratory with routine molecular biology techniques, RT-PCR, PCR, cloning, maintaining various cell cultures, propagating viral stocks, general laboratory maintenance and animal handling in BSL-2 and BSL-3 Ag biocontainment. Select Agent and DOJ clearance is required for this position. The candidate will assist in technical editing or formatting manuscripts for submission to selected journals. The candidate will help write Standard Operating Procedures as well as biosafety manuals.

Additional Role Information:

• Plan and conduct experiments, run, calibrate, and troubleshoot general laboratory equipment and instruments, keep laboratory records in the form of a notebook or other generated records, write and edit posters, manuscripts, and articles, perform diagnostic testing on a variety of animal samples.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Application Window

Applications close on: September 18, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$18.86 - $32.05 per hour