Technician - Johnson Research Group

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care options

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation & holidays

Wellness programs

Job summary

Cornell University’s Johnson Lab in the Division of Nutritional Sciences seeks a full‑time research technician to manage general lab activities, assist with microbiome and genetics studies, and organize human subjects research. The role emphasizes molecular biology techniques, sequencing library prep, and collaborative teamwork in Ithaca, NY.

The position is a one‑year term, benefits eligible, on‑site in Ithaca, with typical hours 8:00AM‑4:30PM, Monday through Friday, supporting a dynamic lab

Qualifications

• Associate degree and up to 2 years related lab experience or equivalent.
• Experience with bacterial culturing techniques and genetics analysis.
• Knowledge of lab safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead bacterial culturing and biochemical assays; assist germ‑free mouse work; prepare microbiome samples for genomic/metabolomic analyses.
• Procurement, organization of lab supplies, and upkeep of freezers and lab spaces.

Skills

Bacterial culturing

Genetics analysis

Lab safety

Mice handling

Independent work

Project management

Collaborative skills

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Bachelor’s 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

Responsibilities

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.

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.

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. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• 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. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• 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. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, https://hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

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

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.

EEO Statement

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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.

2026-09-23