Research Technician

International Association for Great Lakes Research; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent State University in the Biological Sciences Department seeks a full-time Research Technician to manage the Kinsman-Costello and Costello labs in aquatic ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry.

The Lab Manager will handle operations, purchasing, compliance, onboarding and supervision of students and staff, coordinate field activities, data workflows, and ensure safety and high-quality research. This fixed-term appointment has opportunities for extension subject to external grant funds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental science, geology, earth science, chemistry or related STEM discipline.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability and motivation to support a safe work environment.
• Able to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Operations and Administration: Coordinate laboratory operations, purchasing, recordkeeping, compliance, and facility readiness to support research activities.
• Personnel Support and Training: Support onboarding, training, supervision, and coordination of students, staff, volunteers, and other laboratory personnel.
• Analytical Instrumentation and Technical Support: Operate, maintain, and provide technical support for analytical instrumentation and laboratory workflows.
• Field Research Coordination: Coordinate and participate in field research activities, including logistics, equipment management, safety planning, and environmental data collection.
• Communication and Project Coordination: Facilitate laboratory communications, scheduling, and collaboration among faculty, students, staff, and external partners.
• Research and Scholarly Support: Contribute to research innovation, data management, scientific products, and collaborative projects that advance the laboratory's research mission.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Independent worker

Organizational skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in ecology/environmental science/geology/earth science/chemistry or related STEM

Tools

Excel

R

GitHub

Job description

This is a full-time, fixed term position, with opportunities for extension subject to availability of external grant funds.

Kent State University

Kent, OH

Closing Date: Until Filled

Web Address: https://jobs.kent.edu/jobs/research-technician-kent-campus-kent-ohio-united-states-10c82bb8-dc87-4268-b778-70aa1017894a

Description

HIRING: Ecosystem Ecology Lab Manager (Open 8/24/26 Until Filled)

The Kinsman-Costello Lab (https://laurenkinsmancostello.weebly.com/) and Costello Lab (https://costellolab.weebly.com/) in the Biological Sciences Department at Kent State University seek a Full Time Research Technician to manage the labs of a dynamic, supportive research group with multiple ongoing grant-funded and student-led research projects in aquatic ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry. The position provides rich opportunities to learn and develop diverse research and management skills. The Lab Manager is responsible for the comprehensive operational, logistical, and technical management of an interdisciplinary environmental research laboratory. The position supports the research mission of the laboratory by ensuring that laboratory, field, and data activities are well organized, safe, compliant, and effectively coordinated. The Lab Manager plays a central role in enabling faculty, students, and collaborators to conduct high‑quality research by managing laboratory infrastructure, instrumentation, personnel workflows, scheduling, purchasing, and compliance. This role requires independent judgment, clear communication, and strategic prioritization across multiple concurrent projects. The Lab Manager is expected to balance routine operational responsibilities with time‑sensitive project needs while maintaining transparency around capacity, timelines, and task prioritization. The Lab Manager is expected to represent the laboratory professionally in collaborative, technical, and outreach settings.

This is a full-time, fixed term position, with opportunities for extension subject to availability of external grant funds.

Examples Of Duties Include

• Laboratory Operations and Administration: Coordinate laboratory operations, purchasing, recordkeeping, compliance, and facility readiness to support research activities.
• Personnel Support and Training: Support onboarding, training, supervision, and coordination of students, staff, volunteers, and other laboratory personnel.
• Analytical Instrumentation and Technical Support: Operate, maintain, and provide technical support for analytical instrumentation and laboratory workflows.
• Field Research Coordination: Coordinate and participate in field research activities, including logistics, equipment management, safety planning, and environmental data collection.
• Communication and Project Coordination: Facilitate laboratory communications, scheduling, and collaboration among faculty, students, staff, and external partners.
• Research and Scholarly Support: Contribute to research innovation, data management, scientific products, and collaborative projects that advance the laboratory's research mission.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors in ecology, environmental science, geology, earth science, chemistry or related STEM discipline
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability and motivation to support a supportive, safe work environment
• Effective at working both independently and as a member of a collaborative team
• Excellent organization skills
• Valid U.S. drivers license

Desired

• Demonstrated history of project coordination, team management, lab management, employee supervision and/or mentoring.
• Experience with one or more common ecosystem ecology tools including analytical soil, sediment, or water analyses, field sampling and experimentation, and sensor system deployment and maintenance.
• Competency in data management, synthesis and analysis, using Microsoft Excel, R, GitHub, and other computational tools.
• Physical ability for strenuous field work.
• Ability to travel for field work and project meetings.

Kent State University, located in Kent, OH, is a doctoral-granting public institution that enrolls approximately 40,000 students. Kent State has a vibrant and growing research community and was recently elevated to “R1: Very High Research Activity” by the Carnegie Classification. The Department of Biological Sciences (http://www.kent.edu/biology) is the largest in the College of Arts and Sciences, with over 80 MS and PhD students, 1200 undergraduate students, and 40 faculty. Faculty and students in the department participate in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research through the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI), Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI), and Healthy Communities Research Institute (HCRI). The northeast Ohio region offers quick access to many natural areas for research and personal recreation, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Holden Arboretum, the “Emerald Necklace” of Cleveland Metroparks, and dozens of county parks.

Questions? Please contact Lauren Kinsman-Costello ([e-mail]) and Dave Costello ([e-mail]) for more information!