Research Lab Technologist

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** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please to complete the. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete .###
** Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see .
** This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.###   
** POSITION SPECIFICS
** The
** Kapur Laboratory**, situated within the
** Huck Institutes of Life Scienc
** es and the  at  seeks to appoint two full-time
** Research Lab Technologists
** to support its internationally engaged research programs in molecular biology, infectious disease, and global health. These appointments represent a critical investment in the laboratory's scientific infrastructure and are central to the sustained execution of complex, multi-investigator research initiatives.

The Research Technologist will hold a position of responsibility within the laboratory contributing to the generation of high-quality, reproducible scientific data while ensuring the orderly, compliant, and efficient operation of the research environment. Working in close coordination with faculty investigators and senior research personnel, the incumbent will support experimental workflows that underpin externally funded research, maintain continuity across ongoing projects, and uphold institutional standards for biosafety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.

This role demands a high degree of technical proficiency, professional judgment, and organizational discipline. The successful candidates will be expected to exercise care and independence in the execution of established protocols, to maintain meticulous scientific records, and to support laboratory operations in a manner consistent with the expectations of a leading research university. These positions offer the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to impactful scientific inquiry while operating within a collegial, intellectually rigorous academic setting.
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* Key Responsibilities:

**** Laboratory Techniques and Experimental Support
*** Perform a wide range of molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular cloning, and protein and peptide analysis and purification.
* Prepare, quality-control, and manage sequencing workflows, including library preparation for next-generation sequencing, sample normalization, and documentation.
* Process, label, store, and track biological samples to accordance with institutional biosafety, biosecurity, and regulatory requirements.
* Assist with experimental design, execution, optimization, and troubleshooting under the guidance of faculty or senior research staff.
* Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely laboratory notebooks and electronic records documenting protocols, observations, and results.
** Laboratory Operations and Equipment Management
*** Lead and support laboratory organization, including workflow optimization, space management, and adherence to safety standards.
* Prepare buffers, media, reagents, and solutions following established protocols and quality standards.
* Monitor laboratory inventory, coordinate ordering of supplies, and ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
* Perform routine maintenance, calibrations, and verification of laboratory equipment, including thermocyclers, centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, and related instrumentation.
* Ensure laboratory spaces remain clean, organized, and fully compliant with institutional safety policies and regulatory requirements.
** Data Management and Reporting
*** Collect, organize, and assist with the analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
* Contribute to the preparation of figures, summaries, and documentation for laboratory meetings, internal reports, grant progress updates, and manuscripts.
* Participate in regular lab meetings and provide clear updates on experimental progress and technical activities.
*…