Biology Teaching Lab and Animal Care Technician

Biology Teaching Lab and Animal Care Technician

Special Instructions

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

Position Information

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in a biological laboratory environment (e.g., microbiology, physiology, or cell/molecular biology), with proven competency to independently set up, run, and troubleshoot instructional laboratory protocols.
• Hands-on experience handling and providing routine care for laboratory animals.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, chemical hygiene, and biohazardous waste disposal practices.
• Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation and software, including basic troubleshooting, and the demonstrated ability to train students, faculty, and staff in safe equipment operation and procedures.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage competing demands across multiple courses simultaneously.
• Proactive and self-directed, taking ownership of results while working collaboratively within a team environment and remaining receptive to feedback.
• Clear, effective written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to cultivate inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology or a related field
• Animal husbandry experience; AALAS certification (e.g., ALAT) or willingness to obtain one
• Experience with aquatic/saltwater systems
• Microbial, Drosophila or cell-culture experience
• Experience supervising student workers

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field

Offer Determination

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Physical Requirements

• Responsible for following all procedures to conduct work activities in a safe manner including but not limited to wearing PPE required for specific duties and safe handling of chemicals as outlined by University policies and/or the supervisor.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Other Information

A current valid driver’s license, in accordance with the University’s Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Use Policy is required.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits

Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page.

Accountabilities

The Biology Teaching Lab and Animal Care Technician provides technical support to undergraduate laboratories in the Biology department, with a primary focus on courses such as physiology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, and developmental biology. This position is responsible for managing and maintaining teaching laboratory facilities and equipment, setting up and putting away lab experiments, supporting courses in consultation with faculty leads, instructing and training students, faculty, and staff on equipment and procedures, supporting independent course-based research projects, and ensuring the safe operation of teaching labs.

Responsibilities include:

• Animal Care & Maintenance: Responsible for animal care as a core duty, including frogs, birds, mice, rats, and freshwater and saltwater animals, as well as maintaining aquaria and a saltwater system.
• Biological Culture Maintenance: Maintain bacterial, yeast, fruit fly, and tissue cultures as required.
• Procurement & Inventory Management: Purchase supplies within the teaching-lab budget. Handle supply delivery, storage, and distribution while monitoring chemical and general inventory to anticipate needs for items such as chemicals, glassware, gloves, and autoclave supplies.
• SOP Documentation & Safety Compliance: Develop and maintain detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manuals for all courses supported by this position to ensure safe laboratory operations.
• Equipment & Software Maintenance: Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot teaching-lab equipment and lab software; arrange repairs and service; recommend replacements and upgrades; and train students, faculty, and staff on required class equipment.
• Instructional & Research Support: Support labs and course-based research in consultation with Biology department professors or assigned faculty leads, including setting up and breaking down class experiments, instructing students in laboratory procedures as needed, and working with student class groups on independent projects.
• Facility & Physical Plant Coordination: Coordinate with Buildings and Grounds and custodial staff to facilitate building repairs, laboratory maintenance, and other facility-related needs.
• Student Worker Supervision: Supervise and support student workers by developing task assignments, providing training, and ensuring that laboratory equipment and procedures are used correctly and safely.
• Field Experience Transportation: Operate university vehicles to safely transport students to and from off-campus laboratory and field experiences, as needed.
• Departmental Event & Search Support: Assist the Administrative Department Coordinator (ADC) with the setup and breakdown of departmental events, with particular emphasis on summer research programs and student activities. Participate in departmental searches as requested (e.g., meeting with candidates during campus visits).
• Professional Development & Protocol Testing: Engage in ongoing professional development and departmental learning, including attending departmental lectures and student research symposia. Collaborate with faculty to investigate, evaluate, and test new laboratory protocols for potential use in courses.
• Responsible for immediately reporting any unsafe conditions to the supervisor and/or Environmental Health and Safety.

Members of our community are expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Posting Detail Information

Special Instructions Summary

A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

EEO Statement

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Clery Act

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.