Environmental DNA Lab Technician

Position Description Summary

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting environmental DNA (eDNA) lab technicians to support conducting genetic lab work on fish and wildlife species at the National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation. We are seeking a laboratory technician to aid in analysis of genetic samples for projects related to aquatic and wildlife conservation. This work is in furtherance of USDA Forest Service goals to generate the best available scientific information to inform forest planning, NEPA and other federal legislation for our National Forest System (NFS) partners.

• Organizing and cataloging samples
• Data entry and QAQC
• DNA extraction
• Analyzing eDNA samples via quantitative PCR
• General lab tasks such as QAQC, supplies/inventory, equipment sterilization and calibrations, cleaning lab spaces, building eDNA sampling kits.

USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Sciences Lab, Missoula, MT 59801

Technicians will work 8‑hour work days, 5 days a week. Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holiday pay, if partner approved. TSAs holiday schedule will comply with the project partner holiday schedule, unless otherwise specified in their employment offer.

Wage: $20/hour, full-time, average 40 hours per week. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full‑time, on‑site position includes company‑paid premium comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short‑term and long‑term disability policies are available, along with voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members. Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in genetics lab techniques including DNA extraction and PCR/qPCR
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established molecular protocols and adapt to new ones
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs
• Team oriented and communication skills
• Skills in communicating science and teaching new molecular protocols to trainees
• Experience in data organization, data manipulation and data management and curation

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related applied science or two years of molecular biology lab experience.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with job/industry specific equipment.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low.