Laboratory Technician

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity.

The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Perform laboratory and field work, in consultation with the Director, in support of several grant-funded applied water quality monitoring and research projects. Carry out water sample collection, processing, and analysis following established protocols and assigned field schedules. Manage assigned tasks, ensuring adherence to quality standards and project timelines in alignment with Center objectives. Maintain and calibrate laboratory and field equipment, coordinate QA/QC activities, and ensure compliance with certification requirements.

Support data management and assist in preparation for laboratory audits and reporting. Coordinate daily activities and ensure smooth operation of the Environmental Analysis Laboratory.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate and implement data collection activities to support applied research and outreach goals of grant-funded projects and external partners. Support and coordinate field programs at scales ranging from small watersheds to state-wide monitoring efforts. Ensure field and laboratory activities meet project objectives and data quality standards.
• Train and guide field crews in sample collection following established protocols. Perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) calculations and assist with qualitative evaluation of collected data. Manage and maintain project databases, including data entry, initial review, verification, and validation to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Support data organization and preparation for project reports. Conduct basic data summarization, basic trend analyses, and assist in preparing tables, charts, and graphs for reporting and outreach purposes. Perform preliminary statistical evaluations using software such as R to support interpretation of water quality monitoring data.
• Conduct laboratory analyses, including chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus, and other parameters following standard operating procedures and QA/QC guidelines. Maintain the Environmental Analysis Laboratory by ensuring regular calibration and maintenance of equipment and implementing established quality control measures.
• Monitor laboratory inventory and ensure that chemicals, reagents, and supplies are ordered and obtained in a timely manner to support ongoing laboratory and field operations. Maintain accurate inventory records and coordinate with purchasing staff or vendors as needed.
• Assist with client communication regarding laboratory sample submission, results, and invoicing. Prepare lab results with summarized comments following established templates and support preparation of billing documentation for services provided.
• Provide technical support to external partners and laboratories as directed by project leads. Assist in preparation for laboratory audits and certification processes.
• Maintain laboratory and field equipment to support water quality monitoring and analysis, including coordinating sample collection and processing equipment needs; performing calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of instruments; and assisting with field instrument deployment and recovery. Ensure proper maintenance and readiness of all laboratory and field equipment for ongoing projects. Support data management through accurate entry, initial processing, preliminary analysis, review, and preparation of basic reports.
• Prepare quality assurance (QA) samples and coordinate and track their distribution, maintaining thorough documentation of all QA activities. Monitor QA/QC results for accuracy and compliance with established standards, and promptly flag anomalies or issues for supervisor review.
• Assist with training and guidance of students in laboratory analyses, including total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a, routine laboratory maintenance, and equipment care. Provide instruction to field crews, including students and volunteers, on standard water sampling techniques and data collection protocols. Support training of students in data entry and preparation of basic data reports for research projects…