DBS Research Technician

Location: Durham

The Department of Biological Sciences needs to hire an Operational Staff (OS) Research Technician to support the ongoing research of department faculty and support shared COLSA freshwater and seawater aquatics systems in Spaulding and other UNH research locations. The Research Technician will provide flexible technical support across faculty-led research programs within the Department of Biological Sciences. The position may support multiple faculty members and research groups and may involve laboratory, field, aquatic facility, animal care, acoustic monitoring, small‑vessel operations, and other research activities.

Specific assignments and priorities may vary based on research needs, seasonal field activities, available funding, and departmental priorities. The position may be expanded from 30 to 40 hours per week as funding and departmental needs permits.

Duties/Responsibilities Research Laboratory Support (35%)

• Conduct laboratory activities supporting faculty‑led research programs, including sample processing, preparation, measurements, and routine experimental procedures.
• Assist with animal care, handling, observation, and monitoring in accordance with established protocols and institutional requirements.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain laboratory materials, equipment, samples, and supplies.
• Assist with research data collection, documentation, entry, and organization.
• Provide technical support to multiple research programs as project needs and priorities evolve.

Field Research & Small‑Vessel Operations (25%)

• Assist with field‑based biological and environmental research, including sampling, equipment deployment and retrieval, and field observations.
• Assist with operation, preparation, cleaning, and routine maintenance of small research vessels and associated equipment.
• Conduct or assist with acoustic monitoring and other field‑based data collection.
• Prepare equipment and supplies for field activities and organize materials following field deployments.
• Participate in fieldwork under varying environmental and weather conditions as appropriate.

Aquatics Facility & Animal Care (20%)

• Support daily operation, organization, and maintenance of aquatic research facilities.
• Perform routine animal care and monitoring and maintain appropriate environmental conditions.
• Assist with water quality monitoring, system maintenance, cleaning, and troubleshooting.
• Maintain safe, clean, organized, and functional aquatic research spaces.
• Communicate facility, equipment, or animal‑care issues to appropriate faculty or staff.

Research Equipment, Facilities & Technical Support (15%)

• Maintain, organize, prepare, and troubleshoot laboratory, field, acoustic, and aquatic research equipment.
• Assist with routine equipment maintenance, calibration, and preparation for research use.
• Maintain inventories of research equipment, supplies, and materials and assist with procurement and restocking.
• Assist with organization and maintenance of shared research spaces and facilities.
• Learn and apply new technical methods and equipment as research needs evolve.

Departmental & Collaborative Research Support (5%)

• Provide technical and operational support for Department of Biological Sciences research activities and shared facilities.
• Assist faculty and research groups beyond primary assignments when departmental research needs require.
• Participate in training, safety activities, facility organization, and other activities that support a collaborative research environment.
• Other duties as needed.

Requirements Minimum Acceptable

Education & Experience:

• BS or MS; familiarity with experimental design, biological research, and fieldwork in related fields.
• Acoustics analysis experience required.
• One year experience with freshwater and saltwater systems.
• Familiari…