Technician - Johnson Research Group

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking a full-time Research Technician to support the Johnson Lab's bacterial genetics and biochemistry studies. The role includes organizing experiments, managing samples, and assisting with high-throughput sequencing library preparation.

The successful candidate will work on metabolite-dependent diet-microbiome-host research, perform mouse husbandry tasks, and contribute to genomic and metabolomic analyses in a collaborative, inclusive team environment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and up to 2 years related laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with bacterial culturing techniques and genetics analysis.
• Experience working in a lab specializing in molecular biology, biochemistry, or genomics research.
• Knowledge of lab safety requirements.
• Must be comfortable performing tasks involving laboratory mice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Assist and lead large amounts of bacterial culturing; execute biochemical assays; assist with germ-free mouse work; tissue collection; prepare microbiome samples for genomic and metabolomic analysis; prepare high-throughput sequencing libraries; stock management; safety tasks.
• Procurement of lab supplies; general lab organization; upkeep of freezers and freezer organization.
• Support administrative duties related to lab operations and supply management.
• Contribute to microbiome research by preparing samples for genomic/metabolomic analyses and assisting with sequencing library preparations.

Skills

Bacterial culturing

Genetics analysis

Molecular biology

Lab safety

Mouse handling

Teamwork

Multi-project management

Inclusive collaboration

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in biology/biochemistry

Tools

Illumina sequencing libraries

Job description

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university where an inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City. We offer a rich array of services, programs, and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, and flexible work options.

Our Mission

Cornell Human Ecology explores the complexity of human life. We bring together a range of perspectives to understand the full context of the human experience and improve lives at every scale, from cells to society. Our research and academic programs focus on the interaction of humans with their biological, economic, social, and physical environments. Using Cornell's far-reaching extension network and the college's translational research methods, we deliver our findings directly to communities and families, ensuring that our work reaches those who need it most. We prioritize innovative collaboration and are fueled by a powerful, interdisciplinary, and applied approach to improving lives.

The Opportunity

The Johnson Lab in the Division of Nutritional Sciences is seeking a full-time research technician to manage general lab activities, assist with large scale efforts in bacterial genetics and biochemistry, assist with mouse husbandry, organize human subjects research, and independently execute molecular biology-based techniques. The Johnson lab studies metabolite-dependent diet-microbiome-host interactions using techniques in genomics, metabolomics, molecular biology, and microbial genetics. The lab has a focus on understanding the importance of metabolite exchange in the establishment of the infant microbiome. Under general supervision, responsibilities will include:

Laboratory duties

• Assist and lead large amounts of bacterial culturing; execute biochemical assays; assist with germ-free mouse work; perform tissue collection; independently prepare large numbers of microbiome samples for genomic and metabolomic analysis; independently prepare high throughput sequencing libraries, upkeep of lab reagent stocks; and safety management tasks.
• Procurement of lab supplies; general lab organization; and the upkeep of freezers and freezer organization.

Administrative duties

• Procurement of lab supplies; general lab organization; and the upkeep of freezers and freezer organization.

This position presents an exciting opportunity for a motivated and adaptable individual to contribute meaningfully to microbiome research while deepening their scientific expertise. As the successful candidate, your work will directly impact studies in bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology, while also helping maintain a well‑organized and efficient lab environment. In return, you will benefit from continuous learning, intellectual engagement, and hands‑on experience with a wide array of cutting‑edge techniques in genomics, metabolomics, and microbial research – all within a collaborative and inclusive scientific community.

This is a one‑year term, benefits eligible position with the possibility of renewal. This is a fully on‑site position that is based in Ithaca, NY. Typical work hours are 8:00AM-4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and up to 2 years related laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with bacterial culturing techniques and genetics analysis.
• Experience working in a lab specializing in either molecular biology, biochemistry, or genomics research.
• Knowledge of lab safety requirements.
• Must feel comfortable performing tasks involving laboratory mice.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, or any related field.
• Experience with creating sequencing libraries for the Illumina sequencing platform.

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position. No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this position.

Rewards & Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusive workplace initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25- January 1.
• To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Job Details

University Job Title: Technician III

Job Family: Technical

Level: C

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Pay Range: $24.31 - $26.87

Remote Option Availability: Onsite

Company: Endowed

Contact Name: Sheri Spencer-Chrisjohn

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.