Conduct and assist with field sampling, laboratory processing,
sample preparation, organization, and data collection under the
direction of project investigators;
Collect water, sediment, benthic, plankton, hydrographic, and
other environmental samples and measurements;
Deploy, operate, retrieve, and maintain scientific field
instrumentation and sampling equipment;
Process, preserve, document, and prepare research samples for
storage, analysis, and shipment, including maintaining appropriate
chain-of-custody procedures;
Perform routine laboratory procedures and analyses using
established protocols and quality-control procedures;
Enter, organize, manage, and conduct quality-control checks on
research data and assist with basic data summaries and analyses as
directed by project investigators;
Assist with preparation of research reports, technical
documents, figures, tables, protocols, and other project
deliverables for review by project leaders;
Assist faculty with research project logistics, scheduling, and
coordination among project personnel, collaborators, and external
partners;
Contribute technical and logistical information to the
development of research proposals, project plans, and budgets as
requested by project investigators;
Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform routine repairs
on shared scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment used
in research activities, with limited faculty oversight;
Maintain research equipment in operational condition and ensure
readiness for field and laboratory use;
Support operation and maintenance of equipment including, but
not limited to, Milli-Q water systems and filters, YSIs,
fluorometers, pH meters, spectrophotometers, LC-MS, IRMS, particle
size analyzer, TOC analyzer, and FlowCam;
Diagnose routine equipment problems and coordinate technical
service, preventive maintenance, and vendor repairs when issues
exceed the scope of in-house maintenance;
Coordinate service contracts and equipment maintenance
activities, including REMI-covered equipment;
Maintain equipment records, calibration documentation,
maintenance logs, operating procedures, and related technical
documentation;
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and other
technical guidance for shared research equipment;
Train and provide technical guidance to faculty, staff,
students, and project personnel in the appropriate operation, care,
and routine troubleshooting of research instrumentation; and
Manage equipment reservations, checkout, and loan systems to
support efficient access to shared research resources.
Field Operations, Vehicle, and Boat Support:
- Operate and maintain field vehicles, trailers, and boats;
- Safely transport personnel and equipment to field sites;
- Serve as boat operator/captain during field missions;
- Monitor vehicle and trailer condition, including maintenance
scheduling and safety checks; and
- Maintain readiness for emergency troubleshooting during field
operations.
Laboratory Operations and Safety Compliance:
- Support safe and effective operation of research laboratories
and shared facilities at PEREC/PSC;
- Maintain chemical and research-material inventories and
associated safety documentation;
- Support appropriate storage, handling, transportation, and
disposal of chemicals, biological materials, and hazardous waste in
accordance with university and applicable regulatory
requirements;
- Maintain research laboratory equipment, workspaces, and shared
facilities in an organized and operational condition;
- Monitor availability of laboratory supplies and consumables
necessary for research activities and communicate purchasing needs
to appropriate personnel; and
- Support compliance with applicable university, state, and
federal laboratory and research safety requirements.
Research, Instructional, and Operational Logistics Support:
- Coordinate and support logistical activities associated with
research projects, field operations, and instructional activities
conducted at PEREC/PSC;
- Receive, organize, and distribute research and instructional
materials, including time-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, and
appropriately regulated shipments;
- Coordinate outgoing shipments of research samples, equipment,
and supplies in accordance with applicable shipping and handling
requirements;
- Assist faculty and project personnel with ordering research
supplies, equipment, and consumables and communicate purchasing and
inventory needs;
- Maintain inventories of research and instructional supplies,
equipment, and consumables;
- Prepare, organize, transport, set-up, and return equipment and
materials for research and instructional field and laboratory
activities;
- Support COS faculty with laboratory and field courses conducted
at PEREC/PSC, including preparation of materials and specialized
laboratory equipment and limited technical or field support during
course activities;
- Operate, maintain, and provide user support for shared
poster-printing and related technical resources, including
scheduling, supplies, routine maintenance, and user training;
and
- Coordinate routine logistics among faculty, students, staff,
project personnel, and external collaborators to facilitate
research and instructional activities.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or significant related
experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree;
- Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience
supporting scientific research activities in laboratory, field, or
technical research environments, including operation of specialized
instrumentation, research data collection and management, and
application of established research methodologies;
- Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, chemical hygiene
procedures, hazardous waste handling, and regulatory compliance
requirements in research laboratories;
- Knowledge of basic scientific instrumentation used in
environmental, aquatic, biological, or analytical laboratories,
including calibration and routine maintenance;
- Knowledge of standard field sampling methodologies for aquatic
or environmental research, including sample collection,
preservation, and chain-of-custody procedures;
- Knowledge of inventory management and preventative maintenance
procedures for shared equipment and laboratory resources;
- Skill in operating, calibrating, and performing routine
troubleshooting of laboratory and field equipment;
- Skill in collecting and processing environmental field samples
using standardized scientific protocols;
- Skill in organization, logistics coordination, inventory
management, and supply tracking across multiple laboratories or
projects;
- Skill in written and verbal communication for technical
documentation, procedural instructions, and coordination with
faculty, staff, and students;
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while
managing multiple concurrent priorities;
- Ability to diagnose routine equipment issues and identify
appropriate corrective actions or repair needs;
- Ability to safely perform physically demanding fieldwork,
including lifting equipment, working outdoors in variable weather,
and boarding small vessels;
- Ability to maintain accurate records related to equipment
maintenance, safety compliance, inventory, and research
support;
- Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, students,
staff, and external vendors;
- Reliability, professionalism, and accountability in managing
shared institutional resources;
- Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining safe and
organized laboratory spaces;
- Service-oriented mindset and commitment to supporting faculty
and student success;
- Flexibility and responsiveness in a dynamic research
environment;
- Ability to obtain or possess Virginia Department of Wildlife
Resources boating certification; and
- Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor
vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for
operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use
Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/
. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the
driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all
candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable
review.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field;
- Minimum of five years of relevant laboratory, field, or
technical research support experience;
- Experience supporting grant-funded research;
- Experience with analytical instrumentation;
- Knowledge of advanced analytical instrumentation, including
mass spectrometry, TOC analyzers, particle size analyzers,
fluorometers, and automated imaging systems;
- Knowledge of data management, quality assurance/quality control
(QA/QC), and basic scientific data analysis methods;
- Knowledge of vendor service coordination, maintenance
contracts, and repair scheduling for specialized research
equipment;
- Skill in troubleshooting and repairing advanced scientific
instrumentation with minimal supervision;
- Skill in operating boats, trailers, and field vehicles for
aquatic field research;
- Skill in training students, staff, and faculty in laboratory
methods, instrumentation use, and field techniques;
- Skill in basic data analysis, reporting, and preparation of
technical summaries for grant-funded research projects;
- Ability to operate and troubleshoot boats, trailers, and field
vehicles during routine and emergency field operations;
- Ability to adapt work schedules to accommodate early morning
fieldwork, late deliveries, urgent repairs, and time-sensitive
research needs;
- Ability to support grant-funded research through data
collection, sample processing, and technical reporting;
- Initiative and proactive problem-solving in identifying
operational inefficiencies and implementing improvements;
- Enthusiasm for mentoring and training students in research and
technical skills; and
- Commitment to continuous learning and remaining current with
evolving laboratory technologies and best practices.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for the
PEREC
Research Technician & Laboratory Operations Specialist
at
https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the
online application to include three professional references with
contact information, and provide a cover letter and CV for
review.
Posting Open Date: October 22, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 5, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research
university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous
world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest
and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering
degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,
along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for
students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We
believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing
our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and
we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of
origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at
http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/
