"Research Technician II (Multiple Positions)"

Position Highlights

The School of Plant Sciences is seeking to fill the role of Research Technician II. This position will develop and/or implement existing protocols used for feeding assays on plants or artificial feeding solution/feeding chambers to evaluate molecules for knockdown efficacy and effects on mortality, or for plant virus ingestion and acquisition studies (2) develop and/or implement protocols for dissecting and carrying out immunolabeling/in situ hybridization of whole insects and extirpated organs, and (3) assist with maceration, DNA/RNA isolation and PCR/RT-PCR amplification of genes/transcripts and prepare amplicons for sequencing (Sanger or high-throughout sequencing). This will involve complete care of plants and colonies, maintenance, and ordering relevant supplies. The individual will have access to training to build upon existing or increase knowledge/understanding where certain skills may be rudimentary.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain laboratory plants and insect or other arthropods (mites, etc.) in colonies (indoor chambers); keep inventory of and place orders of relevant reagents, supplies, cages, sticky traps, pots, soil, labels, bulbs, and fertilizer.
• Conduct laboratory research supervised by the PI and senior post-doc or laboratory professional involving feeding assays, data collection, and downstream analysis.
• Carry out organ extirpations and in situ labeling and microscopy (light, fluorescence, confocal and/or TEM) of whole insect bodies or organs.
• Isolate DNA and RNA from specimens followed by PCR/RT-PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing (Sanger or high throughput)/sequence analysis using lab protocols, in coordination with the PI and senior scientists in the lab.
• Summarize and assist in analysis and interpretation of data/results to arrive at conclusions and next steps.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• General knowledge of insects and rearing, micro and macro-manipulation of insects.
• Knowledge of experimental design and ability to follow and troubleshoot protocols.
• General understanding of experimental design/controls.
• Knowledge of record keeping, including lab and e-notebooks.
• Interest in studying/knowledge of relevant literature.
• Ability to work independently and on a team.
• Excellent communications skills, written and oral.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of educational and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years experience working with experimental animals/plants.
• Experience making buffers, feeding solutions, and molecular biology reagent stocks.
• Experience with plant and insect colony maintenance and careful manipulation of live insects.
• Experience in sample prep for and/or conducting light and fluorescent microscopy.
• Expertise in sterile techniques for studies of whole animals and plants, tissues/cells, and molecules.