Lab Technician - Biology

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - to meet a public need and promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs, and while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve, and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham, and so much more. FSU is a proudly public and truly transformative institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded, but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate and professional students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and professional fields, and enrolls 48% BIPOC students and 54% first-generation college students in our undergraduate programs. We are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of equity and antiracism. This commitment has earned FSU eight Insight Into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Awards and led to our recognition in the Great Colleges to Work For program. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU is ideally situated between Boston and Worcester on land originally stewarded by the Nipmuc people for thousands of years. FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation, and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The laboratory technicians (lab techs) for STEM departments act as the primary point of contact for laboratory-related tasks, supplies, and equipment for the department to which they are assigned. Lab techs oversee the inventory of equipment, lab supplies, and chemicals for their assigned department. They also manage the set up and break down of teaching laboratory activities in consultation with faculty and perform the ordering of laboratory-related supplies and chemicals for both teaching and research.

Please review the full Laboratory Technician series classification specifications.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

At least monthly meetings with the department chair. Ad hoc meetings and communications with department faculty to ensure smooth functioning of teaching laboratories

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Training and oversight of departmental student employees to assist with job duties

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as primary point of contact for day and/or DGCE faculty who need assistance with teaching laboratory setup
• Serve as primary emergency contact for teaching laboratory signage.
• Ensure labs are appropriately set up and taken down for each assigned laboratory course, including multiple laboratory courses which share the same space
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of departmental chemicals, supplies, and equipment (with location data) that can be accessed by faculty as needed
• Prepare various culture media, cultures, chemical solutions, and/or reagents following standard laboratory procedures for use in teaching laboratories
• Operate and ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment, including recalibration, such as microscopes, counters, balances, and spectrophotometers for laboratory teaching experiments
• Maintain the cleanliness and safety of laboratories according to established standard operating procedures, including disposing of waste and contaminants, washing and sterilizing glassware, and inspecting temperature control equipment
• Analyze, categorize, and properly store hazardous waste according to all local, state, and federal guidelines; coordinate with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety to arrange for proper storage and disposal of toxic, hazardous, biological, caustic, or flammable wastes
• Prepare, troubleshoot, test, adjust, calibrate, and perform routine maintenance on a variety of scientific instruments, equipment, and supplies; contact external service representatives for major service or repair as needed; coordinate with vendors to perform calibration on lab equipment as needed.
• Order chemicals and supplies needed for the labs at the request of faculty
• Training and oversight of departmental students employees to assist with job duties
• At least monthly meetings with the department chair. Ad hoc meetings and communications with department faculty to ensure smooth functioning of teaching laboratories

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Laboratory Technicians will work in an environment with appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to the harmful effects of chemicals, gases, fumes, inflammable and pathogenic materials, and dangerous equipment; may work varied shifts, weekends, holidays and nights; stand for prolonged periods of time; lift loads of 10+ pounds, and walk moderate distances.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in laboratory work in a recognized clinical, medical, hospital, chemical, water quality, public health, biological, bacteriological, marine sciences or materials testing laboratory, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree or higher with a major in medical technology chemistry, bacteriology, food science and technology, environmental science, chemical or environmental engineering, wastewater technology, oceanography or the biological sciences may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

II. The successful completion of one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, education toward a degree at a recognized medical or dental school may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

III. The successful completion of training in a recognized school or hospital course, or an American Medical Association (AMA) approved training program for laboratory technicians or medical technologists may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

IV. Registration as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technicians or American Medical Technologists or as a bacteriologist by the National Registry of Microbiologists may be substituted for the required experience.

Other qualifications required at hire:

• Knowledge of general laboratory techniques and methods
• Knowledge of sanitation and sterilization methods, techniques and procedures followed in a laboratory
• Knowledge of the proper methods used in the disposal of laboratory materials
• Knowledge of the types and uses of sterilization equipment and devices used in a laboratory
• Knowledge of calibration and adjustment techniques as applied to laboratory equipment
• Knowledge of the properties and characteristics of chemicals, acids, bases, and materials used in a laboratory
• Knowledge of the techniques used in the handling and transportation of laboratory specimens
• Ability to understand and apply the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities
• Ability to explain the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to gather information through observing and questioning individuals and by examining records and documents
• Ability to maintain accurate, accessible electronic records
• Ability to perform arithmetical computations with speed and accuracy (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication, basic algebra, and percents)
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others
• Ability to deal tactfully with others
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Ability to distinguish colors visually
• Manual dexterity

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) bargaining unit with a union title of Laboratory Technician II. The bi-weekly pay rate is $2,405.69 (grade 17, step1). This is an approximate annual salary of $62,547.94.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, Veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

For best consideration, please submit application materials by July 31, 2026. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

PI285788923