Job Openings >> Laboratory Assistant
Laboratory Assistant
Summary
Title:Laboratory Assistant
ID:1380
Department:Animal Health
Description

SUMMARY

This is a part-time position, with a 2 day per week schedule, with one day being Wednesday.

A member of a dynamic project team within the A. Watson Armour III Center for Animal Health, this highly flexible individual will have primary responsibility for supporting research projects by executing sample collection and processing in and around animal enclosures. Under the direction of senior laboratory personnel, the individual will ensure that resources such as volunteers and supplies are prepared according to a pre-established schedule for each project. The Laboratory Assistant will participate in collection, processing and storage of samples and data and work professionally alongside animal care experts, laboratory researchers, clinical practitioners and highly skilled volunteers. In between projects, the individual will be asked to perform other tasks as-needed in support of ex situ research and the Aquarium’s mission. These could include but are not limited to: assisting with grant and project management, facilitating lab tours and other educational experiences, helping to plan outreach events, ordering supplies, updating protocols and organizing data.
 

Position Length: January 1 – September 30, 2020
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values
  • With volunteers, perform sample collection and processing according to established protocols
  • Create and implement volunteer schedules based on study timelines
  • Serve as point of contact for volunteers, communicating positively and proactively to ensure they have needed information
  • Accurately and consistently collect required data to accompany samples
  • Ensure supplies and reagents are sufficiently present, autoclaved and organized as needed to allow sampling to proceed on schedule
  • Assist with planning research activities and willingly adapt plans based on unexpected changes in access to animals and enclosures
  • Perform general lab duties including regular decontamination, glassware cleaning, scheduled equipment maintenance, aliquoting reagents and autoclaving
  • Support lab outreach and engagement activities by assisting with event planning and facilitating tours and activities for diverse stakeholders such as donors, partners and school groups
  • Assist with molecular laboratory bench work as needed
  • Demonstrate a commitment to professional and personal growth by initiating dialogue with colleagues, engaging in self-directed learning and focusing on professional development goals
  • Fulfill other duties as required

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or equivalent experience.

Experience and Skills:

  • 1-2 years experience in a laboratory environment
  • Familiarity with sterile technique and basic principles of molecular biology
  • Experience working in a team-based environment with evolving priorities
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Some experience working in a facility housing live animals, such as a zoo, aquarium, animal hospital or shelter preferred

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE 
Motivated self-starter, eager to learn from others and gain exposure to a diverse array of operational and scientific activities within a public aquarium. Positive team player with a passion for helping animals and facilitating scientific discovery.



 

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).

This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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