Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist (Temporary)

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist (Temporary) to operate the Aurora CS cell sorter and support Cytek Aurora and BD Fortessa/Symphony instruments for user experiments.

Frequency is 1–2 days per week, with Minneapolis, MN as the work location and a starting salary of $45-$55/hour DOE. The UFCR environment focuses on training, consultation, and high-quality service to researchers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field.
• Ten years of experience operating and maintaining BD Biosciences flow cytometry instrumentation.
• Five years operating Cytek Aurora flow cytometry instrumentation.
• Ten years operating BD FACSAria droplet-based cell sorting instrumentation.
• One year operating Cytek Aurora CS droplet-based cell sorting instrumentation.
• Proficiency with BD FACSDiVa and Cytek Spectroflo software.
• Biomedical research lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs cell sorting on Cytek Aurora CS and BD FACSAria II instruments.
• Performs maintenance and repair on Cytek Aurora and BD Fortessa/Symphony.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Panel design

Data analysis

Biology knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field

Tools

Cytek Aurora

BD FACSAria

FACSDiVa / Spectroflo

Job description

Job Details

• Job ID: 376443


• Location: Twin Cities


• Job Family: Supplemental Employee


• Full/Part Time: Part-Time


• Regular/Temporary: Temporary


• Job Code: 0006


• Employee Class: Civil Service

About the Job

Title: Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist (Temporary)

Job Class: Temporary Nonexempt (0006)

Division: Office of Academic Clinical Affairs

Schedule: 1-2 days/week(M-F), 9 am to 5 pm

Work Location: Minneapolis, MN

Starting Salary: $45-$55/hour DOE

Starting Date: 10/12/2026

End Date: 3/21/27

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

This position is NOT eligible for Visa sponsorship

Summary

The candidate that fills this position will be operating an Aurora CS cell sorter for customer experiments and will provide support services for Cytek Aurora and BD Fortessa/Symphony cell analyzer instruments.

About the UFCR

The University Flow Cytometry Resource is an established shared resource interested in providing high-quality services for current and future generations of flow cytometrists as well as supporting the career goals of the UFCR team. Our instrumentation includes 9 analytical cytometers -1 Cytek Aurora (3 lasers), 4 Cytek Aurora (5 lasers), 1 BD LSRFortessa (5 lasers), 1 LSR Fortessa X-20(5 lasers), 2 BD FACSymphony A3 (5 lasers), and 1 BD Symphony X-30 (5 lasers). For sorting, the UFCR has instrumentation in 4 locations including 2 Aurora CS (5-laser), 2 Miltenyi Tyto Lux microfluidic sorters, 1 BD FACS Aria II (4 lasers) and 1 Sony MA 900 (4 lasers).We also perform training, offer consultation and for-hire services to all customers. The UFCR also manages a fee-based BD Flowjo portal system accessible to all University staff. The UFCR provides services to over 125 investigators and 300 hands-on users annually from across the institution.

Job Duties

• Performs cell sorting services on a Cytek Aurora CS and BD FACSAria II cell sorter.


• Performs maintenance and repair on Cytek Aurora and BD Fortessa/Symphony

Qualifications

Required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field.


• Ten (10) years of experience operating and maintaining BD Biosciences flow cytometry cell analysis instrumentation.


• Five (5) years of experience operating and maintaining Cytek Aurora flow cytometry cell analysis instrumentation.


• Ten (10) years experience operating and maintaining BD FACSAria droplet-based, high-speed cell sorting instrumentation.


• One (1) year experience operating and maintaining Cytek Aurora CS droplet-based, high-speed cell sorting instrumentation.


• Proficiency with BD Biosciences FACSDiVa(Cell Analyzer and Cell Sorter versions), Cytek Aurora Spectroflo(Cell Analyzer and Cell Sorter versions).


• Biomedical research lab experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excels at working independently and as part of a team.


• Familiarity with the Miltenyi Tyto/Tyto Lux instrumentation.


• Possesses excellent customer service skills.


• Experimental panel design experience.


• Flow cytometric data analysis experience.


• Independent operation of flow cytometry instrumentation. BD FACSDiVa software, Spectroflo software and applicable analyzer and cell sorter instrumentation a plus.


• Ability to apply a broad understanding of biological systems to assist research staff in obtaining and interpreting optimal results.

Physical Requirements

• Able to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds several times per week.


• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks.


• May require repetitive motion.

About the Department

The UFCR provides comprehensive instrument training and other services to the institutional research and educational community at the University of Minnesota and the greater metropolitan scientific community at large.

Flow cytometry uses fluorescent probes to identify and characterize cells, bacteria or other particles. Objects tagged with fluorescent molecules enter the cytometer via a fluid stream. The cells then pass by a series of lasers, each of which emit a specific wavelength of light. The fluorescent probes are excited by the laser and then emit light energy. The fluorescent signal is detected and amplified, then translated into an electronic signal, which is output to a computer workstation. Information about the size and granularity of a cell may be recorded, as well. The result is an electronic file containing the measured information, which may be represented in a graphical format using specific software to interpret the file. This same process may be performed on a cell sorting cytometer which additionally allows for the capture of subsets of the cells, bacteria or particles to be used by the customer in a subsequent, downstream procedure.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $45-$55/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.