Position Title:  Laboratory Assistant (CPD&D)
Work Location: Indianapolis IN
Assignment Duration: 12 Months
Work Schedule: 40 hours a week + 2 hours on one Saturday/month
Shift: 7:00am-4:00pm

Position Summary: Assists technical personnel in general laboratory operations, maintaining laboratory facilities and equipment in accordance with Laboratory standards in order to help ensure the validity and integrity of experimental results.

Background & Context:

• We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong work ethic to join our collaborative team of four in a lab and greenhouse environment.
• This position requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with rotating responsibilities to ensure continued engagement.
• Aseptic technique experience is essential for this role.
• This is a one-year contract position with the potential for yearly extensions based on performance.
• This is not a temp-to-hire position; however, successful contractors may receive annual extensions.
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• Key Responsibilities:
• Media Preparation:
• o Prepare media for research purposes
• o Clean and rinse glassware and equipment.
• o Sterilize equipment using an autoclave.
• o Prepare tubes and bottles with specified solutions.
• o Operate basic lab equipment.
• Plant Material and Inoculum Handling:
• o Conduct routine laboratory tasks and prepare test setups, including placing plants into trays, tagging them, and assisting with applications.
• o Mark plants for mobility tests and breakdowns and move them onto carts for further handling.
• o Assist with inoculating and harvesting stock.
• Chemical Handling and Safety:
• o Safely handle and apply chemicals including fungicides, and other research-related substances, following all safety protocols.
• o Demonstrate the ability to properly wear and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a PAPRs (Powered Air-Purifying Respirators), to ensure safety during chemical handling and other hazardous tasks.
• o Ensure proper storage, labeling, and disposal of chemicals in accordance with safety guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Housekeeping:
• o Wash and move carts, cut flats into single pots.
• o Bag and weigh plant material for disposal.
• o Clean lab and greenhouse benches and floors.
• o Empty and replace hazardous and non-hazardous waste containers.
• o Scrub Growth and Dew Rooms.
• o Stock labs and greenhouses with necessary supplies.
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• Qualification & Experience:
• Educational Background:
• o A background in Biology or Plant Pathology is preferred.
• o 1-2 years of relevant experience can substitute for degree requirements.
• Essential Skills and Traits:
• o Knowledge of plant science is essential.
• o Strong professional work ethic and highly motivated mindset.
• o Proven ability to work effectively in both team settings and independently in a professional environment.
• o Experience with the preparation, maintenance, and inoculation of fungal cultures in sterile conditions.
• o Knowledge of safety protocols for handling fungal cultures to prevent contamination or exposure.
• o Experience in preparing inoculum for plant material studies and other related tasks.
• o Familiarity with harvesting and storing fungal cultures for experimental purposes.
• o Strong attention to detail and the ability to work carefully in a lab environment.
• Aseptic technique experience is essential for this role.
• Biology or Plant Pathology background
• Hard worker, good attendance, willing to learn, Highly motivated.

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 19.00/hr.