Laboratory Assistant II- 50%FTE

Laboratory Assistant II- 50%FTE

School/Unit Description:

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

The Jacobs-Wagner laboratory in the Department of Biology is seeking a lab assistant 2 to perform different administrative and lab tasks essential for research activities. Specifically, this individual will be responsible for preparing common bacterial growth media and other reagents or solutions, washing and sterilizing glassware and plasticware, and carrying out supervised biological assays for Lyme disease-related research. The lab assistant 2 will be responsible for some aspects of lab organization, general maintenance of lab operations and assistance with miscellaneous tasks in the lab.

Characteristic Duties:

The duties listed under this section are designed to provide a representative sampling of key tasks and/or responsibilities associated with the job. They are not intended to be a complete list of all the duties performed by employees in the classification.

• Make complex media, reagents buffers, or animal diets/therapies etc., requiring a series of laboratory operations, carrying out the series without intermediate instructions.
• Maintain quality of prepared items and resolve basic problems (e.g., media, reagents, buffers).
• Calculate and plot graphs from data.
• Count bacterial plates following well-established guidelines.
• Attach electrodes previously installed in animals to recording equipment, electrical stimulators, etc., and collect data from the equipment.
• Observe, and record signs of unusual appearance, behavior, illness or death in animals; complete and maintain forms as required.
• May determine sex and wean animals according to established procedures
• Maintain stock control and inventory of laboratory supplies and equipment, including keeping records, reordering, tracking down missing items, etc. Maintain records of all products made.
• Perform routine equipment servicing, either performing the work or contacting appropriate outside contractor; keep service records
• May give brief orientation concerning location and operation of equipment in the laboratory.
• May train and coordinate the work of lower-level employees
• May perform any of the duties described in the Laboratory Assistant I specification or other duties as assigned.
• Adhere to safety rules.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

This position requires a minimum of one year of Laboratory Assistant I level or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum Qualifications

In addition to the qualifications listed for the Laboratory Glassware Washer, these employees must have demonstrated initiative and good judgment.

• Ability to perform work with a minimum of error under general supervision.
• Ability to train others in aspects of Lab Assistant work.

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity to perform assigned tasks
• Write by hand, sort/file paperwork or parts, perform desk based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, perform seated work, operate special machines
• Occasionally twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach /work above shoulders, light fine grasping.
• Lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Rarely help move heavier items (e.g. chairs or lab equipment; packages of supplies; drums containing 2 to 15 gallons, depending on ability.

In some Glassware Washing operations, occasionally may pull a wheeled Glassware cart that weighs approximately 100 pounds.

Working Conditions

Work occurs in a research laboratory environment. Depending on research, Lab Assistants may work in the vicinity of animals, chemicals, gasses, or hazardous materials. Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures, including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required.

Work Standards

• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/and the appropriate collective bargaining agreement athttps://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/hr-processes-policiespolicies/labor-relations-collective-bargaining

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007 and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment.

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.