Temporary Laboratory Technician

The Claremont Colleges Services; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Harvey Mudd College Laboratory Technician provides technical lab support to an introductory biology laboratory course by performing routine and moderately complex duties and assisting chemistry faculty with lab set-up and preparation. The role reports to the Chair of the Biology Department.

This is a non-exempt, part-time, temporary position with 30 hours per week, salary $22–$24 per hour. It includes duties such as preparing reagents, sterilizing equipment, maintaining safety practices, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field, with coursework in molecular biology or biochemistry labs.
• A combination of undergraduate coursework and related experience may be considered.
• Preferred qualifications include 1–2 years’ experience with modern biological/biochemical instrumentation and molecular biology, microbiology, or cell biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Prepares labs for faculty and student use by organizing, setting-up and breaking down and maintaining laboratory equipment; coordinates the use of labs and equipment.
• Assists in the set-up, execution, and break down of experiments in teaching laboratories.
• Prepares chemical reagents, solutions, and culture media.
• Ensures the safe storage of biological and chemical materials.
• Sterilizes equipment, glassware, and media.
• Monitors inventories of expendable supplies and advises faculty or staff of reordering needs.

Skills

Lab techniques

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry

Tools

Biochemical instrumentation

Molecular biology techniques

Microbiology techniques

Cell biology techniques

Job description

Laboratory Technician – Biology and Chemistry Departments

Position Summary

Laboratory Technician provides technical lab support to an introductory biology laboratory course by performing a variety of routine and moderately complex laboratory responsibilities & will assist chemistry faculty with the set-up and preparation of instructional chemistry labs. The Laboratory Technician works independently, reporting directly to the Chair of the Biology Department or another designated biology faculty member.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares labs for faculty and student use by organizing, setting-up and breaking down and maintaining laboratory equipment; coordinates the use of labs and equipment.
• Assists in the set-up, execution, and break down of experiments in teaching laboratories.
• Prepares chemical reagents, solutions, and culture media.
• Ensures the safe storage of biological and chemical materials.
• Sterilizes equipment, glassware, and media.
• Monitors inventories of expendable supplies (e.g., chemicals, reagents, plasticware, glassware) and advises faculty or staff of reordering needs.
• May be responsible for ordering materials in consultation with faculty and other staff.
• Troubleshoots experiments using current methods in biochemistry and molecular biology; assists in evaluating methods, procedures and techniques used in experiments.
• Assists faculty with developing new teaching laboratory experiences.
• Supervises and trains research students in lab methods and procedures, working and consulting with faculty in support of laboratory curriculum.
• Assists in the proper collection and disposal of waste materials according to regulations and department policy.
• Participates in and contributes to a safe environment by keeping current with safety regulations, checking and maintaining equipment, orienting student assistants to the proper use of materials and equipment, and overseeing compliance with regulations.
• Working from a written protocol, prepares the equipment, reagents, solutions, and student work areas for the general chemistry laboratory course and other chemistry laboratory courses, including physical chemistry laboratory, as needed.
• Consults with the faculty teaching laboratory courses regarding the set-up and safe practices in the teaching laboratories.
• May lead and/or guide the work of student employees.
• Performs other related duties as required as a member of the Chemistry Department support staff.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field. Coursework should include molecular biology and/or biochemistry labs. A combination of undergraduate coursework and related experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• One to two years’ experience with modern biological/biochemical instrumentation, molecular biological, microbiological, and/or cell biological techniques highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a classroom/laboratory setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight (e.g. 20 lbs.); to operate laboratory and office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information; requires the wearing of personal protective equipment including safety glasses or goggles, lab coats, rubber or plastic gloves, respirators, or face shields. See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; to operate assigned equipment; and to distinguish color. Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Remote Work Eligibility

Category B: All staff positions, regardless of remote work eligibility, require an initial 30-calendar-day on-campus work period. Based on an evaluation by the supervisor and area Vice President, this position is classified as Category B as defined in the College’s Remote Work Policy, with occasional ad-hoc remote work flexibility (as needed). Your approved remote work arrangements under Category B allow for up to 0 remote work days per week during the academic year and up to 1 remote work day during the non-academic year. Please note these days may vary depending on departmental and College needs. Your standard working hours will generally be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though these hours may vary depending on departmental and College needs. All remote work arrangements, including ad-hoc remote work, must be approved by the direct supervisor, area Cabinet member, and Human Resources, and are subject to periodic review based on institutional needs. These arrangements are neither guaranteed nor considered entitlements and may change due to factors such as employee performance, evolving business needs, or changes to the position.

Hours and Schedule

Regular office hours are 30 hours per week. However, days and hours may vary due to the needs of the department or the College. This assignment will begin on September 28, 2026 to December 11, 2026.

Classification

This is an non-exempt, part-time, temporary, non-benefits eligible, position.

Salary

$22-$24 an hour.

Reports To

This position reports to the Chair of the Biology Department.

Additional Information

This job description defines the essential job duties of the position. Harvey Mudd College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of the job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Regular employment at the College is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Employment is at-will and employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Harvey Mudd College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be given consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran’s status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Located in the heart of Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college offering degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. HMC enrolls about 800 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges, which is comprised of five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions. According to students, professors and alumni, what makes Harvey Mudd distinctive is its collaborative, cross-disciplinary nature. The working environment is built on collaborative relationships between and among all members of the campus community and a deep commitment to the College’s mission to educate students “so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”