Temporary Technician III

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY seeks a Temporary Laboratory/Research Technician to support lab and field work focused on enhanced rock weathering as a carbon-negative agricultural practice. You will participate in water, soil, and plant tissue analysis, data handling, and field plot maintenance.

The six-month, full-time, on-site position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related science and familiarity with lab procedures, data management, and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, agronomy, soil science, plant science, ecology, or a closely related scientific field.
• Ability to interpret and follow laboratory protocols while keeping detailed experimental records.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to perform general laboratory procedures including sample prep, instrument calibration, serial dilution, pipetting, and pH measurement.
• Must be able to perform field collection and handle materials up to 25 lbs.
• Detail-oriented, able to work independently, and take initiative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, Google Drive, and Box.
• Adherence to lab safety procedures and university chemical/biological material handling requirements.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, and technicians and support diversity and inclusion.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites.

Responsibilities

• Support collection, measurement, and analysis of water, soil, and plant tissue from field trials.
• Perform field sampling and data collection per established protocols.
• Assist with analytical measurements using laboratory instruments such as a total carbon analyzer and pH meter.
• Support establishment and maintenance of experimental field plots and harvesting crops.
• Monitor soil-pore water, soil, and plant tissue in various field environments and weather conditions.
• Record, organize, and prepare data summaries with basic quality checks.
• Assist with lab inventory, material prep, cleaning, and equipment maintenance.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols and PPE requirements.

Skills

Lab protocol interpretation

Record keeping

Physical stamina

Data handling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, agronomy, soil science, plant science, ecology, or related field

Tools

Total carbon analyzer

pH meter

RStudio

Job description

About the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (E&EB)

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (E&EB) has a distinguished faculty of 25 whose interests range from population and community ecology to biogeochemistry and ecosystems to evolutionary biology and genetics. The Department has a broad but unified mission in teaching and research: broad in that the interests of the faculty span many levels of organization encompassing genes, genotypes, phenotypes, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and unified in that each of these levels interacts with all of the others.

What We Need

As a member of the team, you will provide technical support for the lab.

Duties

• Support the collection, measurement, and analysis of water, soil, and plant tissue specimens from field trials evaluating enhanced rock weathering as a potential carbon-negative agricultural practice.
• Perform frequent field sampling, measurement, and data collection in accordance with established research protocols and procedures.
• Assist with the analytical measurement of aqueous samples using specialized laboratory instruments, including a total carbon analyzer, pH meter, and laboratory reagents.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of experimental field plots, including applying amendments, planting, installing field instruments, and harvesting crops.
• Monitor and collect soil-pore water, soil, and plant tissue specimens in a range of field environments and weather conditions.
• Record, organize, and prepare data summaries, including conducting preliminary quality checks and performing general summary statistics.
• Assist with laboratory inventory, material preparation, cleaning, maintenance, and general organization of field and laboratory equipment.
• Follow laboratory safety protocols, waste disposal procedures, and PPE requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, agronomy, soil science, plant science, ecology, or a closely related scientific field.
• Ability to interpret and accurately follow laboratory protocols while maintaining detailed experimental records.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to perform general laboratory procedures, including sample preparation, instrument calibration, serial dilution, pipetting, and pH measurement.
• Ability to perform physical tasks in the field, including collecting water, soil, and plant tissue samples, and handling materials weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage responsibilities effectively, work independently, and take initiative.
• Proficiency with computer software, including Microsoft Suite, Google Drive, and Box.
• Ability to adhere to laboratory safety procedures and University requirements for handling chemicals and biological materials.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, and technical personnel.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and a culture of wellbeing.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to field sites as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• One to two years’ experience working in a research, laboratory, or agricultural setting.
• Demonstrated laboratory and/or field experience analyzing water, soil, plants, or other related research materials.
• Experience recording and maintaining accurate experimental databases, spreadsheets, or research observations.
• Experience with statistical computations and software such as RStudio, or a strong willingness to learn.

Position Details

This is a six-month, full-time, temporary position at 39 hours/week. This on-site position is located in Ithaca, New York.

Rewards and Benefits

Compensation is $24.00/hour.

No relocation assistance is provided for this position. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob 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.

Cornellwelcomes 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.

2026-10-19

Job Details

University Job Title:

Temporary Laboratory/Research Technician

Job Family:

Temporary Technical

Level:

No Grade - Hourly

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Contact Name:

Sharon Clark

Contact Email:

[e-mail]

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our 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, NY, Cornell's far-flung 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, flexible work options.