Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

40% — Microbial culture and phage isolation Perform anaerobic and aerobic bacterial culture of oral and environmental microorganisms. Support phage isolation workflows including preparation of host cultures, plaque assays, and harvest of phage lysates. Contribute to troubleshooting and protocol refinement as directed by the PI or senior lab members.

20% — Molecular biology Perform DNA and RNA extraction from microbial cultures and complex samples. Assist with PCR, gel electrophoresis, and preparation of samples for downstream sequencing and analysis. May assist with library preparation or other molecular techniques as projects require.

20% — Human and environmental sample processing and sample management Process biological samples from human participants and environmental sources (e.g., oral microbiome samples such as dental plaque and saliva) according to established protocols. Tasks include centrifugation, aliquoting, and cryopreservation; maintenance of frozen sample inventories; and preparation of samples for distribution to collaborating labs. Accurate and complete documentation is required.

10% — Lab maintenance and general support Maintain lab stocks of media, buffers, and consumables. Monitor and maintain equipment including anaerobic chambers, centrifuges, and ultra-low temperature freezers. Assist with reagent preparation and general lab upkeep.

10% — Other duties as assigned Provide flexible support across lab projects. Contribute to protocol documentation; may assist with training of new lab members.


This is a two-year, temporary position with an expected end date of June 11, 2028 with options to extend the role if grant funding allows.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

B.A./B.S. in Microbiology, Biology, or a related biological science, OR a combination of related education and work experience totaling four years.
Experience with aseptic technique and standard microbiological methods.
Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records.
Ability to work independently and communicate proactively about progress and challenges.
Preferred Qualifications

Experience with anaerobic microbiology or culture of fastidious organisms.
Experience with human biospecimen handling or clinical research sample processing.
Familiarity with bacteriophage biology or phage isolation techniques.
Experience with DNA/RNA extraction and molecular biology techniques.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $23.69/hr-$29.33/hour ($49,280.40-$61,006.40 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
University HSA contributions
Disability and employer-paid life insurance
Employee wellbeing program
Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
Financial counseling services
Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.