Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore…
College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425-acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
Who We Are:
The Collins lab in the Department of Biology is an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate students, postdocs, and research staff that thrives on teamwork and welcomes diverse candidates to join us. We value enthusiasm for science, a passion for learning, and excellent communication skills. We study the role of biomechanics on biological patterning and function, how the brain controls behavior, and the impact of environmental chemicals and drugs on behavior using freshwater invertebrates (hydra and planarians).
The opportunity:
The Collins lab seeks to hire a highly motivated laboratory aide. Primary responsibilities for the lab aide will be to oversee maintenance, breeding, and organization of the animal colonies, to assist in the execution of chemical screens, and support other ongoing research in the lab. Animal maintenance includes preparing water, monitoring and maintaining the freshwater aquatic suite operation in collaboration with the departmental animal care staff, feeding and cleaning tanks and dishes, and generating gene knockdowns using RNA interference.
The lab aide will also assist in the preparation of media and chemical stocks related to ongoing laboratory projects, perform routine laboratory maintenance tasks, and maintain equipment in good working order. To generate specific animal strains, the lab aide will use standard molecular biology techniques, including extracting genomic DNA, performing PCR and gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, and RNA interference. The lab aide will also help verify phenotypes using in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and RNA extraction for quantitative PCR.
An additional portion of the work will involve the updating and maintenance of laboratory standard operating procedures and organization of laboratory inventory of experimental samples and supplies, as well as aiding the lab manager with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste according to guidelines.
The Lab Aide will communicate with the Principal Investigator and Lab Manager on a regular and timely fashion. The Lab Aide will be required to work on some holidays including certain days during winter break to maintain animal care as part of their regular schedule.
For experience level II, additional tasks will include assistance with the supervision and training of student workers, including providing lab safety training.
For experience level III, additional tasks will include the development of new protocols, participation in workshops or training to acquire new skills, and the analysis and interpretation of research data.
This is a 9-months limited term position, with potential for renewal, pending external funding and job performance.
Essential Responsibilities
Level I
- Maintain, breed, and verify laboratory invertebrate animals and monitor freshwater aquatic suite operation (30%).
- Assist with the preparation and execution of chemical screens and conduct screening following standard protocols (40%).
- Prepare media and chemical stocks related to laboratory invertebrate animals and standard laboratory procedures (10%).
- Perform routine laboratory protocols and maintain equipment in good working order (10%).
- Update and maintain laboratory protocols and organize laboratory inventory of experimental samples and supplies (5%).
- Assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste according to guidelines (5%).
Level II
- Maintain, breed, and verify laboratory invertebrate animals and monitor freshwater aquatic suite operation (25%).
- Assist with the preparation and execution of chemical screens and conduct screening following standard protocols (35%).
- Prepare media and chemical stocks related to laboratory invertebrate animals and standard laboratory procedures (10%).
- Perform routine laboratory protocols and maintain equipment in good working order (10%)
- Update and maintain laboratory protocols and organize laboratory inventory of experimental samples and supplies (5%).
- Assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste according to guidelines (5%).
- Assist with the supervision and training of student workers, including providing lab safety training (10%).
Level III
- Maintain, breed, and verify laboratory invertebrate animals and monitor freshwater aquatic suite operation (25%).
- Assist with the preparation and execution of chemical screens and conduct screening following standard protocols (25%).
- Prepare media and chemical stocks related to laboratory invertebrate animals and standard laboratory procedures (10%).
- Perform routine laboratory protocols and maintain equipment in good working order (5%).
- Develop, update, and maintain laboratory protocols and organize laboratory inventory of experimental samples and supplies (10%).
- Assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste and the inventory, handling, and disposal of regulated substances according to guidelines (5%).
- Supervise and train student workers, including providing lab safety training (10%).
- Assist with data collection, data analysis, and interpretation (10%).
What you bring:
Qualifications for Level I
Required
- High school degree.
- Experience with word processing software and digital spreadsheets.
- Work experience with cell culture, molecular biology, microbiology, or similar field
- Teamwork experience.
- Experience executing procedures and protocols according to set guidelines
- Demonstrated excellent laboratory notebook skills.
- Experience handling / making chemical solutions.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in biology or related field.
- Experience mentoring.
- Experience working with and caring for aquatic animals.
- Experience maintaining equipment.
- Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures.
- Experience with lab safety procedures.
Additional qualifications for Level II
Required
- Bachelor's degree in biology or related field.
- Minimum 3 years working experience in a similar position to Level I.
- Demonstrated experience mentoring students.
- Work experience with cell culture, molecular biology, or microbiology, or similar field.
- Experience handling / making chemical solutions and modifying Standard Operating Procedures.
Preferred
- Experience maintaining equipment.
- Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures.
- Experience with lab safety procedures.
- Experience training others in laboratory safety and protocols.
- Experience working with and caring for aquatic animals.
Additional qualifications for Level III
Required
- Minimum 8 years working experience in a similar position to Level I or 3 years of experience in Level II.
- Work experience with cell culture, molecular biology or microbiology, or similar field.
- Experience maintaining equipment.
- Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures.
- Experience with lab safety procedures.
- Experience training others in laboratory safety and protocols.
Preferred
- Master's degree in biology or related field.
- Experience with data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Experience with scientific writing and presentations.
- Experience working with and caring for aquatic animals.
Physical Demands
- Ability to lift and carry water tanks (~40 lbs) over short distances and to be able to bend and stretch to reach the various tanks in the aquatic suite.
Working Conditions / Environment
- The position will require working with microscopes (light, fluorescence microscopy), fume hood, various small specialized laboratory equipment, and repetitive movements.
What You Will Get:
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.
We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter. The cover letter indicates how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
The market range for this position is $21.00-$26.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
PA Criminal Clearance Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.