Science Laboratory Assistant

CT State Community College; Connecticut; On-site; USD 43,000 - 61,000; Part time

Job summary

CT State Community College seeks part-time Science Laboratory Assistants to support student success in biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science labs. The role provides hands-on laboratory support, assists with lab coursework, and collaborates with faculty to promote a positive learning environment.

Responsibilities include preparing materials, setting up equipment, maintaining safety, supervising student workers, and assisting instructors during experiments.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of laboratory safety standards and procedures.
• Skill in preparing, measuring, and dispensing chemical solutions with accuracy.
• Experience setting up, testing lab equipment and materials.
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Prepares sterile media, reagents, stains, and chemicals per manuals.
• Maintains microorganisms and living specimens as required.
• Sets up, tests, and adapts lab equipment to learning objectives.
• Maintains lab safety, proper disposal of waste, and inventory tracking.
• Supervises student lab assistants and provides training as needed.
• Assists instructors during educational experiments.

Skills

Laboratory safety

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Detail oriented

Education

Associate's degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About CT State

Connecticut State Community College (CT State)was launched on July 1, 2023, through the consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. With campuses and satellite locations statewide, CT State serves all 169 towns and neighboring states. As the largest community college in New England, CT State is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible education that supports students’ academic, career, and personal success.

For more information about CT State Community College and the campus please visit Home - CT State.

Position Details

Employment Type: Part-Time, Educational Assistant

Hours: Up to 17 hours per week

Anticipated Start Date: Continuous Recruitment

Work Location: Multiple Campuses

Work Modality: On site; Position is not remote

Position Summary

The College is seeking part-time Science Laboratory Assistants who are passionate about supporting the academic success of students enrolled at CT State CC. The Part-Time Science Laboratory Assistant provides hands‑on laboratory support and assists with lab coursework experiments. Laboratory Assistants collaborate with faculty and program staff to promote student success in a structured and supportive learning environment.

Incumbents provide this support within a specific science discipline, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science. The Laboratory Assistant is also involved in the setup, maintenance, and operation of lab equipment and materials, including preparing lab stations, organizing supplies, and ensuring a safe laboratory environment for student use.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the campus level dean or department chair, the Science Laboratory Assistant is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties: Key responsibilities include:

• Prepares sterile media, reagents, stains, chemicals, standards, etc., in accordance with the protocols in the laboratory preparation manuals.
• Maintains microorganisms and other living specimens as required.
• Maintains viability and quality control of bacterial cultures used during consecutive laboratory sessions.
• Prepares and dispenses solutions and chemical materials used for laboratory classes which may include reagents, chemicals, acids, bases, buffers, and stains.
• Setting up, arranging, and testing lab equipment, apparatus, and materials
• Adapting equipment and materials to specific learning objectives set by faculty
• Planning and preparing equipment and materials for future lab sessions
• Performing routine cleaning and maintenance of lab equipment and arranging for repairs and service from outside vendors
• Observing standards of safety in the setup, operation, and disposal of lab supplies and equipment
• Tracking laboratory inventory, preparing requisitions for required laboratory materials when necessary
• Maintains materials safety data sheets (MSDS) for all department chemicals and products
• Assisting instructors in conducting educational experiments, providing instruction and demonstration when necessary
• Supervising student lab assistants employed by the department by providing training and work direction
• Dispose of all chemical waste, per Chemical Hygiene Plan and Department of Public Health.
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds
• Set up and breakdown laboratory classes
• Maintain lab cleanliness
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor

This posting outlines qualifications, experience, and skills but is not limited to the full specifications in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degreein a related field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory safety standards and procedures, including the safe handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals, reagents, and hazardous materials in accordance with OSHA and/or Chemical Hygiene Plan standards.
• Skill in preparing, measuring, and dispensing chemical solutions and laboratory materials (e.g., reagents, acids, bases, buffers, stains) with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience setting up, arranging, and testing lab equipment, apparatus, and materials.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supervising or training student workers or lab assistants in an academic or professional laboratory setting.

Salary

• $37.74hourly

For more information, visit: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.

Background Screening

• Proof of eligibility to work under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
• Successful completion of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification, reference checks, criminal history, and, when applicable, credit or driving history checks

Equity Statement

Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti‑racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or traffickingor any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless theprovisionsofSection46a-80(b) or46a-81(b)of theConnecticutGeneral Statutes arecontrollingor there are bonafide occupational qualifications excluding personsin one oftheabove protectedgroups.

For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact:Nicholas D'Agostino, Director of Equity and Civil Rights,CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051,860-612-7075 or [e-mail].

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.