Research & Development Technician

Yale University; Alaska; On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Yale University Research and Development Technician supports faculty and students by designing and fabricating equipment for research, with a focus on woodworking to meet unique academic needs.

Reporting to the Operations Manager in the Department of Chemistry, you work both independently and with a team, troubleshoot and modify prototype equipment, and manage time and materials to meet deadlines while maintaining confidentiality and safety.

Qualifications

• Experience with regular skilled use of complex machinery and equipment troubleshooting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven organizational skills; manage multiple priorities with deadlines.
• Self-directed with initiative and ability to solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Develops and evaluates performance and reliability of test equipment.
• Uses blueprints, sketches and schematics.
• Instructs laboratory staff in construction and modification techniques; estimates time and cost; orders materials.
• Sets up and operates machinery and tools for fabrication and testing.
• Performs additional functions incidental to research and development.

Skills

Machinery operation

Communication skills

Customer management

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Reporting to the Operations Manager in the Department of Chemistry, the Research and Development Technician provides assistance to faculty and students with the design and fabrication of equipment for research and academic activities, especially with respect to tasks related to woodworking. The position serves as the primary contact to assist in the creation, modification, and installation of prototype equipment or furnishings to support unique research/academic requirements and executes special projects and routine activities in support of the Department. The Research and Development Technician solves standard and non-standard problems and is expected to be creative with proposed solutions. The position works independently and as part of a team and demands discretion to maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive materials. The Research and Development Technician requires highly developed and demonstrated customer service skills in person, as well as through email and telephone communication, and needs to represent the Department and University professionally. The candidate must have excellent organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple and diverse priorities with frequent interruptions. The Research and Development Technician will have demonstrated ability to solve problems, take initiative, and anticipate actions as needed even in the face of conflicting demands. The position will be able to apprise the supervisor of work-related issues, apply knowledge to ambiguous situations, and provide suggestions to resolve challenging issues.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Regular skilled use of complex machinery. Responsible for troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment as necessary to ensure consistent operation at a high-quality level.
2. Effective oral and written communication skills. Resourceful team player with well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with faculty, staff, students, and outside parties.
3. Ability to handle high demand Departmental community members. Ability to work with conflicting requests and have confidence to request assistance as needed. Self-directed with the proven ability to take initiative and solve problems.
4. Proven organizational skills. Ability to juggle multiple tasks, prioritize activities, meet demanding deadlines, and work with changing priorities in a growing and high-volume environment while preserving flexibility in handling assignments. Maintains accurate and accessible files of work to be performed, in progress, and completed.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Professional prior experience with finished carpentry, woodworking, and/or draftsmanship.
2. Detail-oriented, organized, efficient, self-directed, flexible thinking, continuous learning, and multitasking person with confidence to suggest improvements or note areas of inefficiency.
3. Must be capable of working independently as well as in a highly collaborative team environment.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Develops and evaluates performance and reliability of test equipment. Determines types and number of tests to be performed on equipment. Recommends modifications to testing equipment. Analyzes results.
2. Uses blueprints, sketches and schematics.
3. Instructs laboratory support staff in construction and modification techniques. Develops time and cost estimates, material requirements and methodology. Orders materials and supplies.
4. May set up and operate machinery, hand and power tools, and other equipment for the fabrication, testing, and modification of instruments, equipment, components, and systems. May oversee support staff.
5. Performs additional function incidental to research and development technicians.

Required Education and Experience

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Job Posting Date

09/30/2026

Job Category

Technician

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Hourly Range

$31.83

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.