Research Technician I - Kronauer Lab

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 26,505 - 43,105; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health benefits

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Research Technician I to join the Kronauer Laboratory at Rockefeller University. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work with insects and aims to support a world-class research environment.

Key responsibilities include maintaining ant colonies, assisting in various research projects, and performing laboratory operations. Candidates should be dependable, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic about contributing to scientific research.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree preferred and strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Dependable and detail-oriented.
• Eager to learn and comfortable with routine tasks.
• Excited about working with insects.

Responsibilities

• Maintain ant colonies, including watering, feeding, and cleaning.
• Assist with research projects involving behavioral tracking and genome engineering.
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance and organization.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Primary Work Address: 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065

Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account.

About the Role

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is seeking a Research Technician I to join the Kronauer Laboratory at Rockefeller University. The Kronauer Lab studies the behavior, ecology, evolution, and neurobiology of social insects, with a particular focus on ants. This is a role well‑suited for someone seeking an along‑term position and looking to grow within a stable, productive research environment.

This unique position combines laboratory operations, ant colony husbandry, and research support within a highly collaborative scientific environment. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands‑on work, is excited about working with insects, and wants to contribute to the day‑to‑day success of a world‑class research laboratory. While prior research experience is welcome, the team is primarily seeking someone who is dependable, detail‑oriented, eager to learn, and enthusiastic about supporting both the operational and scientific needs of the lab.

What We Provide

• Meaningful professional experience within a world‑renowned research organization.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge scientific research and laboratory operations.
• Opportunities to explore interests in biology, neuroscience, animal behavior, and scientific research.
• Participation in lab meetings and scientific discussions.
• Mentorship and networking opportunities with researchers, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and scientific staff.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• A competitive compensation package with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.

What You'll Do

Ant Colony Care & Husbandry

• Maintain ant colonies on a regular schedule, including watering, feeding, cleaning, and general husbandry.
• Assist with the production and maintenance of research ant colonies.
• Manage colony storage procedures, including placing designated colonies into freezer storage and returning them to established schedules.
• Monitor colony health and ensure husbandry protocols are consistently followed.

Research Duties

• Assist and collaborate with other laboratory personnel and team members as needed on a variety of research projects that span from behavioral tracking to genome engineering.
• Assist with the preparation and maintenance of research colonies.
• Attend lab meetings and scientific discussions to learn and participate about ongoing research projects.
• Collaborate with lab members on ongoing research projects spanning behavioral tracking, genome engineering, and other areas of active investigation – with the understanding that research involvement will grow over time as husbandry and operational tasks become more routine.

Laboratory Operations & Administration

• Receive, unpack, and organize laboratory deliveries.
• Notify laboratory personnel of incoming materials and deliveries.
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance, including dishwashing, bottle preparation, restocking supplies, and maintaining inventories of laboratory consumables.
• Help ensure laboratory spaces remain clean, organized, and operational.
• Assist with general operational support to keep laboratory workflows running smoothly.

What You Bring

The ideal candidate is genuinely excited about working with insects and contributing to a collaborative research environment. Successful candidates are dependable, detail‑oriented, eager to learn, and comfortable performing routine operational tasks with consistency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working with insects and animal husbandry tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Enthusiasm for learning and supporting scientific research.

Preferred Qualifications

• 0‑2 years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, animal care, husbandry, research support, or related environments.
• Previous experience working with insects, animals, husbandry, laboratory operations, or research environments.
• Prior laboratory or research experience is helpful but not required.
• Biology, neuroscience, ecology, entomology, or other science‑related backgrounds are welcome but not required.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids, and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs.

Compensation Range: $19.24 (minimum) - $24.09 (midpoint) - $31.29 (maximum)

Pay Type: Hourly

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal consistency when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.