Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist (Temporary)

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

Job summary

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, seeks a Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist (Temporary) to operate an Aurora CS cell sorter and support Cytek Aurora and BD Fortessa/Symphony instruments. Schedule: 1–2 days per week, 9 am–5 pm, in Minneapolis.

Responsibilities include performing cell sorting and instrument maintenance, with a starting pay of $45–$55/hour DOE. Position begins 10/12/2026 and ends 3/21/27; not visa eligible.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications must be documented on application materials.
• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field and 10 years of cytometry instrumentation experience.
• Experience with Cytek Aurora and BD FACSAria cell sorters and data analysis software.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Bachelor's degree

10 years experience

5 years Cytek Aurora

10 years BD FACSAria

1 year Aurora CS sorting

FACSDiVa

Spectroflo

Biomedical research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Basic Science

Tools

BD FACSAria

Cytek Aurora

FACSDiVa

Spectroflo

BD Fortessa/Symphony

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.