Senior Laboratory Technician

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT); Blacksburg, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech seeks a lab support specialist to ensure safe, efficient operation of chemistry teaching laboratories. Responsibilities include preparing reagents, setting up apparatus, and performing routine instrument maintenance for instructional labs.

The role involves collaboration with lab managers, instructional faculty, and graduate teaching assistants, with occasional early evening hours and a criminal conviction check.

Qualifications

• Two years of college chemistry with labs or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in a lab.
• Experience using computers for data entry, record-keeping, and electronic communication.
• Strong communication, organization, and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and interact professionally with students, staff, and faculty.
• Customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance for the safe, efficient operation of chemistry teaching laboratories.
• Prepare laboratory materials and reagents for teaching labs.
• Set up apparatus for student experiments and perform routine maintenance on instruments.
• Work harmoniously with lab managers, instructional faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and other lab staff.
• Provide support during select early evening hours for stockroom service and emergencies.

Skills

Chemistry knowledge

Lab environment experience

Computers / data entry

Communication

Organization

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Customer service orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field

Job description

Job Description

Provides technical assistance related to the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of chemistry teaching laboratories. Prepares laboratory materials such as reagent secondary containers stock solutions for teaching labs. Sets up apparatus for student experiments. Performs routine maintenance operations on various instruments. Works harmoniously with lab managers, instructional faculty, graduate teaching assistants, and other lab staff. Provides support to instructional faculty, during select early evening hours, such as stockroom service and backup in the case of a rare emergency.

Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of general and organic chemistry equivalent to two years of college chemistry with labs.
• Experience working in a lab environment.
• Experience using computers for tasks such as date entry, record-keeping using established systems, and electronic communication.
• Strong communication, organization, and trouble-shooting skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to interact professionally with students, staff, and faculty.
• Customer service orientation.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$15-$20 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Hours per week

up to 1500 per year

Review Date

9/1/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Leslie Cherry-Marshall at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.