Technical Associate I

TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE I

The Zhao Lab - Mechanical Engineering, to support laboratory operations and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of soft materials, biological interfaces, and biomechanics. Will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the laboratory including maintaining inventory of supplies, reagents, and consumables; coordinating equipment orders and deliveries; assisting with equipment setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance; supporting scheduling and training for shared laboratory instrumentation and core facilities to ensure smooth research operations; and ensuring compliance with environmental health and safety standards. Will help maintain adherence to institutional safety policies by managing safety documentation, maintaining chemical and biological inventories, assisting with laboratory safety inspections, and coordinating training and onboarding for new lab personnel. The role will also support routine lab cleaning and organization in accordance with established safety guidelines; contribute to ongoing research projects, which may include hands-on experimental work such as maintaining mammalian cell cultures using sterile techniques, preparing biological samples for histological analysis and imaging, and assisting with molecular assays or microscopy workflows. This role may also support animal study workflows, including tissue collection and sample preparation under approved protocols.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological sciences, materials science, biomedical engineering, or a related field; and a minimum of two years of relevant laboratory or research experience (may include experience gained during undergraduate research, internships, or full-time roles). PREFERRED: Experience with wet-lab techniques, biological samples, or materials processing; and familiarity with laboratory safety practices and regulated research environments (e.g., biosafety, animal research).