Student Worker - Biology Department - Spring​/Summer

Position: Student Worker - Biology Department - Spring/Summer 2026
Requisition Number Stu
626P Position Type Student Worker Department Department of Student Workers Job Title Student Worker - Biology Department - Spring/Summer 2026 Classification Student Worker Pay Rate Varies depending on position

Position Summary Information

Hours per week Flexible Days Worked Flexible Hours/Shift worked Flexible

Posting Detail Information

Job Summary /Basic Function

1. Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101 & 362): $9.00

2. Aquatics Room Assistants: $9.00

3. Animal Rooms Assistants: $9.00

4. Green House Assistants: $9.00

5. Tutoring:$10.00

6. Biology Mentor Program (BMP): $10.00

7. Van Driver: $9.00

8. Caputo Storeroom Clerks: $9.00

9. Ecology/Evolution Lab Technician: $9.00

10. STIPEND Position:
Varies

Required Qualifications

* Must be a current Biology Major in good academic standing during time of employment.

Biology department Student Worker

Job Requirements:

Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101, & 362) & Caputo Storeroom:

A or B in Bio 100, Bio 101 or equivalent course

C or higher in Chem 111

Organism Care (Greenhouses, Aquatics Rooms, & Animal Room):

A or B in Bio 100, Bio 101 or equivalent course

Biology department Student Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

All:

Current biology major in good academic standing during time of employment

There will be work that involves the safe handling of specialized equipment and chemicals.

Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101, & 362) & Caputo Storeroom:

Work is normally performed in a typical laboratory environment.

Organism Care (Greenhouses, Aquatics Rooms, & Animal Room):

Work is normally performed in a typical organism care facility environment with controlled light, humidity, and temperatures optimized for the housed organisms.

Must be able to lift/pull/push up to 20 pounds.

There will be work that involves training certification and the safe handling of organisms.

STIPEND Position:

Student must be referred by a biology faculty or staff member.

Tutors & Biology Mentors & STIPEND Position:
Clearances (PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse, FBI Fingerprints) are required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Job Duties

Task may included but are not limited to:

1. Lab Prep Assistants (Bio 100, 101 & 362):

Prepare solutions and reagents required for lab exercises.

Clean equipment and check for operating condition before putting them out for labs.

Return all reagents, solutions, materials, and equipment to their appropriate storage areas after each lab exercise

Wipe down lab benches and restock paper towels

Wash glassware and plasticware

Maintain record of hours worked in each pay period

Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

2. Aquatics Room Assistants:

Daily feedings (if assigned)

Daily use and upkeep of log books (if assigned)

Periodic maintenance of tanks, equipment, and room

Periodic chemical testing of tanks

Weekly scrubbing of tanks, equipment, and rinsing of filter cartridges (periodic replacement of filter cartridges)

Periodic tank set up and tear down

Maintain and refill salt water carboy in Room 107 (salinity at 32ppt)

Identification and isolation of sick or injured fish

Dishwashing, Sweeping and general housekeeping

Monitoring regulated room's photoperiod by use of a light timer

Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period

Notify supervisor of any issues

Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

3. Animal Rooms Assistant:

Daily recording regulated room's temperature & humidity by use of a thermostat

Regular inspection of animals for the purpose of monitoring animal health

Daily feeding and watering of animals

Monitoring regulated room's photoperiod by use of a light timer

Quarantining sick animals, caring for them, as appropriate

Periodic cleaning of mammal cages (if assigned)

Sweeping, mopping, general organizing, and housekeeping

Periodic cleaning of room's air vents (with broom)

Assisting in breeding animals when required by courses

Controlling animal population by segregating adult animals on the basis of gender

Quarantining new animals to ensure they are in good health before introducing them to the general animal population

Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period

Report issues to supervisor

Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

4. Green House Assistants:

Daily monitoring and potential watering of plants based on need (if assigned

Daily maintenance of greenhouse temperature by use of temperature log, thermostat, and manual vents (if assigned)

Periodic pruning & weeding

Periodic fertilizing (if assigned)

Periodic repotting - in response to increased size of plant and/or depletion of nutrients in soil (if assigned)

Periodic propagation of plants (if assigned)

Seasonal addition & removal of whitewash (if assigned)

Segregation and removal of wastes for recycling purposes

Dishwashing, sweeping and general housekeeping

Maintaining record of hours worked per pay period

Notify supervisor of any issues

Practice proper lab techniques with regard to safety

5. Tutoring

* Must complete 3 required clearances (PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse, & FBI Fingerprints)

6. Biology…