CALS- Technician I- Molecular Biology and Genetics

The Opportunity

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

About the College

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.

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell is a world-class department that conducts research and teaching in the area of general molecular biology and genetics. The Feschotte Lab studies mobile genetic elements, such as transposons and endogenous viruses. We are currently using different animal models to study these questions, including mice, zebrafish, flies, and termites.

We are searching for an individual who is available in summer 2026 for a Lab Tech I position in the laboratory of Cedric Feschotte, Professor in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Cornell University. The candidate will assist a postdoctoral fellow who is co-advised by Cedric Feschotte and Andrew Clark and in collaboration with Corrie Moreau in the Department of Entomology and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The candidate will maintain termite colonies and fly stocks and conduct molecular/cellular experiments such as confocal imaging, molecular cloning, NGS library prep, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation (IP) to study transposons and other selfish genetic elements.

This is a full-time position at 100% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• High school Diploma and up to 1 year relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Familiar with basic molecular biological (e.g., cloning, RT-qPCR, Western Blot), cell biological (e.g., imaging), genetics, and biochemical techniques (e.g., immunoprecipitation).
• Must be comfortable working with insects, including fruit flies and termites.
• Familiarity with basic computer programs such as MS Word and Excel.
• Ability to maintain a comprehensive, up to date and accurate research lab notebook.
• Ability to work independently after sufficient training, under general supervision, and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Personable, flexible, and proactive, with a positive "can-do" attitude.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
• Visual concentration and manual dexterity are required.
• Willingness to learn new laboratory skills and take pride in their work.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Experience with insects (e.g., Drosophila, termites, ants, or other social insects) and in the molecular/cellular lab techniques enumerated above are preferred.

Rewards and Benefits

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.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.