Research Technician

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and leave programs

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University is seeking a temporary Research Technician to support human stem cell tissue culture growth and maintenance within the Hart Lab of the SAS, contributing to multiple grant-funded projects studying neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. The role involves training in culture methods, cell assays, and biosafety requirements and is anticipated to last at least one year.

Responsibilities include stem cell culture handling, media preparation, neuron culture maintenance, DNA

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, cell biology, neuroscience, psychology or a related scientific/technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and/or relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests, or other technical work may be substituted for the degree.
• Recent bachelor's-level college graduate with demonstrated lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Stems cell culture, including regular feeding with sterile media, passaging cultures by dissociation, and harvesting of cultures by dissociation followed by automated cell counting.
• Assists with the preparation of growth media, assisting with viral infections to produce neurons, and feeding of human neuron cultures.
• Performs general lab tasks, including recombinant DNA techniques, transfection of cells, assay of cell functions, and preparation of solutions.
• Performs lab support tasks, including ordering of supplies, maintaining lab organization, and interfacing with web-based lab databases.

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, cell biology, neuroscience, psychology or a related scientific/technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests, or other technical work may be substituted for the degree.

Job description

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title: Research Technician

Posting Number: 26TM0336

Department: DLS - Keck Center

Overview:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses.

For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting Summary:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a temporary Research Technician for the Hart Lab within the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) to support human stem cell tissue culture growth and maintenance as part of several large, grant‑funded projects focused on the genetics of Alzheimer's Disease, Alcohol Use Disorder, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

Our work utilizes large repository collections of human cells with defined genetics and diagnoses, obtains or prepares induced pluripotent stem cells, expands these cultures, and converts them to neurons for functional analysis. We use single‑cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility assays to evaluate affected cellular pathways.

The Research Technician position will support the work of existing technical staff in handling large numbers of stem cell lines for these projects. The candidate will receive training in culture methods for human stem cells, in cell assays, miscellaneous lab support tasks, and in biosafety level 2 and blood‑borne pathogen/viral vectors regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will be willing to commit for at least a one‑year period.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Stems cell culture, including regular feeding with sterile media, passaging cultures by dissociation, and harvesting of cultures by dissociation followed by automated cell counting.
• Assists with the preparation of growth media, assisting with viral infections to produce neurons, and feeding of human neuron cultures.
• Performs general lab tasks, including recombinant DNA techniques, transfection of cells, assay of cell functions, and preparation of solutions.
• Performs lab support tasks, including ordering of supplies, maintaining lab organization, and interfacing with web‑based lab databases.

FLSA: Nonexempt

Salary Details: $40,000 - $50,000

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: 40 hours per week

Daily Work Shift: Day

Work Arrangement: This position requires a fully on‑site work arrangement.

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Temporary Staff Appointment - Salaried 12 Month

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, cell biology, neuroscience, psychology or a related scientific/technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests, or other technical work may be substituted for the degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recent bachelor's‑level college graduate with demonstrated lab experience.

Posting Details

Posting Open Date: 09/22/2026

Posting Close Date: 10/22/2026

Open Until Filled: No

Regional Campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus: Busch (RU-New Brunswick)

City: Piscataway

State: NJ

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