Job Title: Laboratory Technician
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Weekly Schedule: 40 hours per week
Shift Timing: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Duration: 12 Months
Interview Required: Yes (Phone Interview)
 
Role Overview
The Herbicide Tolerance Assay Development and Characterization (HT-ADC) team develops and optimizes assay platforms to identify and characterize genes related to herbicide tolerance traits.
The Laboratory Technician will support laboratory and greenhouse operations, plant handling, and experimental execution under the direction of laboratory and project leads. This role requires close collaboration within a cross-functional, team-based research environment.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Perform general laboratory and greenhouse operations, including plant handling and care.
• Execute herbicide applications on plants using a track sprayer chamber.
• Perform quality checks and sorting of plant material for experiments.
• Planting, maintenance, and care of plants as part of experimental workflows.
• Maintain laboratory facilities and equipment in accordance with laboratory standards.
• Utilize common laboratory instrumentation, including liquid handlers, imaging equipment, and automated systems.
• Work with discovery chemistry, solvents, and commercial herbicides safely and effectively.
• Perform laboratory activities requiring sterile techniques when applicable.
• Accurately document experimental data under guidance of project leads.
• Coordinate activities with cross-functional teams such as Crop Health, Herbicide Biology Discovery, and Research Enablement.
• Follow all safety procedures and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Comply with SOPs, safety protocols, and regulatory guidelines.

 
Required & Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred with 2+ years of experience, OR
  • Associate’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience
  • Master’s degree may be considered depending on experience
  • PhD candidates are considered overqualified
  • New graduates with laboratory experience are encouraged to apply
• Experience & Skills:
  • Required experience in Plant Biology and plant handling
  • Background in Weed Science strongly preferred
  • Comfortable working in greenhouse environments
  • Experience working with herbicides and chemicals
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

 
Safety & Medical Surveillance

• Medical Surveillance Required: Yes
  • Respiratory evaluation required for PAPR usage
• Exposure to Common Allergens: Plants, chemicals

 
 
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: $ 23.00/hr.