Laboratory Coordinator I (Extended Temporary Employment)

The School of Plant Sciences is looking for a Laboratory Coordinator I to be a part of Dr. Alexander Bucksch's group. Dr. Bucksch's computational plant science lab research is focused on crop root phenomics and is searching for a Lab Coordinator with plant biology and technical interest to assist researchers and students with the implementation of lab, greenhouse, and field experiments. To some extent, the experiments will require weekend work and the willingness to travel between the Tucson Campus of the University of Arizona, field sites (e.g. Maricopa Agricultural Center) and greenhouse sites (e.g. Campus Farm) within the state to guarantee the successful completion of experiments.

The selected candidate will need to have the ability to work together with researchers with various scientific backgrounds and at different career stages (undergraduate research assistant to postdoctoral staff). The advertised job does require some engineering skills to work with proprietary instruments developed in the lab, on which the candidate will be trained to assist other researchers in the lab.

As a multidisciplinary research lab with researchers from computer science, plant biology, engineering, ecology and others, the job requires flexibility and willingness to adjust to various degrees of knowledge depending on the project. The job is intended to be a long-term employment that can be extended on a yearly basis upon favorable review and the availability of funding. Ideally, the applicant plans their center of life in the Tucson area because a remote option is not available for this job.

More information about our work can be found at www.computational-plant-science.org.

This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

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

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• Coordinates operational activities such as maintaining and executing experiments and data collection in the lab, greenhouse, and field (requires occasional weekend work).
• Assist with the ordering, inventory, storage, and maintenance of supplies, lab ware, and instruments essential to the operation of the lab, greenhouse and/or field research, this work will be done under supervision.
• Organize the training requirements for the members of the lab and trains lab members and collaborators on safety, equipment/instrument usage and answers questions regarding the experiments and the equipment being used.
• Contributes with supporting documents and/or data for grant and contract proposals.
• Revises and implements policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, safety and quality control of the laboratory, greenhouse and/or field research operation in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Experience in growing plants in the field, greenhouse, and lab.
• Laboratory experience handling biological material and basic chemistry procedures.
• Knowledge about plant biology and physiology.
• Basic practical skills to assemble growth containers, repair tools, etc.
• Good organization skills for the lab and the researchers.
• Ability and willingness to travel between the different experimental sites (currently lab, field, and greenhouse) and work at weekends if the experiments require close monitoring (currently about 8 weekends per year but could change as research develops).
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
  
  

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• One year of relevant work experience may be required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Bachelor's degree in plant biology, agriculture, biosystems engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Proficient in using Word, Excel, Power Point and other office software.
• Basic data analysis skills and ability to digitally visualize, design and describe experiments.