Research Technician IV (Extended Temporary Employment)

The School of Plant Sciences seeks to fill the role of Research Technician IV. This position will establish and/or apply existing protocols involving all steps of several molecular and high throughput sequence analyses methodologies, data analysis and date interpretation. The successful candidate will be capable of independent work and teamwork and interacting regularly with the Principal Investigator and Postdoctoral Research Associate
or professional assigned to the project. The successful candidate will maintain e-notebook/wet lab notebook data, prepare updates and reports, present and discuss results and associated data analyses, and recommend changes and validate protocols for the purpose of optimization in a lab meeting setting and toward manuscript contributions. The successful candidate will participate and assist at co-authoring relevant work/projects, according to professional guidelines and standards that constitute such authorship.

Research activities within the School of Plant Sciences take place in the laboratory, in controlled growth environments and in the field. The resulting discoveries help us adapt to the challenges of a changing climate and sustainably produce food, fibers, and fuels while minimizing our environmental impact. Growing a sustainable future requires an interdisciplinary approach. Learn how we're bridging disciplinary boundaries to produce purpose-driven science with real-world impact.

This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Lead sample collection (from greenhouse, growth chamber, field, or received from an external source).
• Log in samples and maintain records of workflow, from start to completion.
• Oversee and ensure accuracy of sample records maintained by staff.
• Direct and perform isolation and quantification of RNA and DNA from plants and arthropod vector samples.
• Oversee and perform molecular cloning for DNA (Sanger) and whole plasmid sequencing; initial validation and identification of sequence data.
• Guide and coordinate with PI and/or senior post-doc or
  professional to advance data through pipeline/workflow.
• Lead preparation of samples and library construction for nanopore and/or other high-throughput sequencing platforms.
• Document and update or edit relevant Standard Operating Procedures regularly after team discussion.
• Present, instruct on, and lead discussions of research results and associated data analyses; recommend changes or validate protocols for optimization and toward manuscript contributions.
• Review, prepare, and disseminate weekly progress and data summaries.
• Prepare data summaries on demand for reports/publications/grant proposals and oversee prioritization of benchmarks and timelines for efficient workflow and rapid turnaround.
• Participate and
  assist in authoring relevant work/projects, according to professional guidelines and standards that constitute
  such authorship, such as articles or chapter publications.
• Oversee ordering of supplies, preparation of reagents, lab set- up, and clean-up.
• Supervise data recording.
• Accurate record-keeping for quarantine or non-quarantine projects.
• Update or create new SOPs, as needed.

Knowledge, skill and abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge and demonstrated practices with sterile techniques.
• Knowledge of scientific literature and ability to search, digest and integrate literature.
• Ability to prepare draft reports and manuscripts.
• Professional, respectful demeanor and strong work ethic.
• Ability to train junior employees or assist with workshop training.
• Knowledge of the organization, job content, practices and procedures and organizational skills required for molecular detection/identification and omics platforms.

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Master's degree.
• Seven or more years relevant work experience.
• Experience working in diagnostic workflow.
• Evidence of scientific publication record (from advanced degree training).