Student Laboratory Assistant – Macroinvertebrate Sorting

Colorado Mesa University; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, seeks a currently enrolled student for a hands-on lab role focused on aquatic macroinvertebrates. You will process samples, categorize organisms, photograph and measure specimens, and maintain digital records.

Optional data analysis and presentations may be available, with training provided as needed. The position emphasizes meticulous work, reliable data entry, and careful handling of fragile specimens using dissecting microscopes in a

Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled student.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to perform repetitive tasks with high accuracy.
• Comfortable working with dissecting microscopes and handling fragile biological specimens for extended periods.
• Basic familiarity with aquatic invertebrate identification; training will be provided if needed.

Responsibilities

• Sample Processing: Separate preserved aquatic macroinvertebrates from debris, sediment, and organic matter.
• Identification: Group organisms into broad taxonomic categories (e.g., Orders such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera). Some groups will be identified to the Family-level.
• Individual Measurements: Take photos of groups of individuals, measure their lengths using computer software, and maintain computer file structure.
• Data Management: Log sample data accurately, maintain digital tracking databases, and perform quality assurance and quality control.
• Lab Maintenance: Clean, organize, and maintain laboratory equipment, microscopes, and chemical preservation fluids (ethanol).
• Data Analysis (optional and time-dependent): Motivated students may have opportunities to work with the data including visualization, analysis, interpretation and write-up.
• Presentation (optional and time-dependent): Motivated students may have opportunities to present the data at student showcase or other local venues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Microscope use

Aquatic ID familiarity

Education

Currently enrolled student

Job description

FLSA Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea. From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement. Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values

• Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
• Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from a foundation of goodwill
• Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
• Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open to the input of others
• Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuing Opportunity
• Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
• Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Sample Processing: Separate preserved aquatic macroinvertebrates from debris, sediment, and organic matter.
• Identification: Group organisms into broad taxonomic categories (e.g., Orders such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera). Some groups will be identified to the Family-level.
• Individual Measurements: Take photos of groups of individuals, measure their lengths using computer software, and maintain computer file structure.
• Data Management: Log sample data accurately, maintain digital tracking databases, and perform quality assurance and quality control.
• Lab Maintenance: Clean, organize, and maintain laboratory equipment, microscopes, and chemical preservation fluids (ethanol).

Secondary Responsibilities

• Data Analysis (optional and time-dependent): Motivated students may have opportunities to work with the data including visualization, analysis, interpretation and write-up.
• Presentation (optional and time-dependent): Motivated students may have opportunities to present the data at student showcase or other local venues.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must be a currently enrolled student.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to perform repetitive tasks with high accuracy.
• Comfortable working with dissecting microscopes and handling fragile biological specimens for extended periods.
• Basic familiarity with aquatic invertebrate identification is preferred (training will be provided if needed).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.

A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings. Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands. The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.