Research Technician (Biology)

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Research Technician

• Biology position. The Research Technician

• Biology is a full-time, one-year term position, starting at $23.00 per hour. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Research Technician will support research and conduct animal husbandry in the Wallace Lab. The animal husbandry responsibility will include daily monitoring and feeding of the freshwater fish colony. In addition, the technician will change water and clean tanks on a weekly basis to support fish health and wellbeing. This work will involve netting and transferring fish. Attention to detail is required to appropriately identify signs of stress or sickness in animals.

The Research Technician will conduct experiments to advance the research goals of the Wallace Lab. The Wallace Lab studies fish as a model for social neuroendocrinology and cognitive ecology. Thus, research will include behavioral trials, hormonal sampling and processing via ELISA immunoassay methodology, brain tissue dissection and processing via IHC (immunohistochemistry) methodology. These methods require significant attention to detail, organizational skills, and fine motor skills (pipetting).

As a member of the Wallace Lab, the Research Technician will contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, staff, and faculty both within and outside the lab. The Research Technician will train a diverse group of students on experimental procedures as is appropriate. This will involve proactive communication and a commitment to shared lab responsibilities.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Animal husbandry split as described below:

• Fish feeding and monitoring

• Water changes and tank cleaning

• Fish care and special projects

• Conducting research via experimental design, method development, behavioral/hormonal/neural data collection, data analysis, and manuscript writing

• Training other individuals on experimental protocols, assisting with student research

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology or related field

• 1 to 3 years of related experience

• Applicants must have prior animal husbandry/handling experience and exposure to basic biological laboratory skills

• Commitment to working with a diverse and inclusive community

• Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test

Preferred

• Research experience on an independent biological project that involved a written report of findings

• Experience with immunohistochemistry or related analysis

• Experience with ELISA immunoassay or related analysis

• Experience with conducting behavioral trials in a lab setting

• Have conducted animal dissections

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.