Cell Culture Technician

Provides critical support for research and development by managing sterile tissue culture environments in the Precision Nutrition and Molecular Center (PMNH) at UCM. Responsible for the daily care of cell lines, executing bio-assays, and ensuring all laboratory equipment is calibrated and maintained to standard operating procedures (SOPs) or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Ensures that the laboratory has established written policies and procedures for a comprehensive quality assurance and quality control program. Maintains cell cultures as needed by PNMH faculty by procuring, propagating and banking various cell lines and making them available as needed. Examples of Duties 60% Cell Culture Maintenance: Perform routine tasks including thawing, feeding, "splitting" (passaging), and cryopreservation of various mammalian or microbial cell lines. Aseptic Technique: Maintain a strictly sterile environment in hoods and cleanrooms to prevent contamination of sensitive cultures. Experimental Support: Assist in executing bio-assays such as biocompatibility tests, mycoplasma detection, and cell-based drug response assays. Data Management: Accurately document observations, cell counts, and experimental results in electronic notebooks or databases according to GLP/GMP standards. Equipment & Inventory: Calibrate and maintain specialized gear such as incubators, autoclaves, and inverted microscopes; manage stock levels for media and reagents. Keep temperature logs to ensure proper storage and growth of cells. 20% Maintains adequate levels of laboratory supplies. Develops and maintains accurate record-keeping systems. Maintains digital records of supply/equipment inventory, places purchase orders, and reconciles shipments and billing. Participates in PNMH Center-sponsored educational outreach activities as available. 20% Assists PMNH faculty with experimental design, developing and troubleshooting experimental protocols. Assists PMNH faculty with preparing samples for bio-assays, such as PCR and gene sequencing. Prepare and provide 'lab-status' reports during biweekly meetings Typical Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology or a related field required. Experience: Two (2) years of cell culture lab experience required. Supplemental Information Physical/Environmental Factors: Exposure to fumes and/or chemicals Lifting (weight) - 10 lbs Possible exposure to infectious or communicable diseases. Special Instructions: Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM. 9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM. Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee. Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included. Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise. NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment. The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.