Technician III

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university where an inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell's global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs, and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, and flexible work options.

Our Mission

Cornell Human Ecology explores the complexity of human life. We bring together a range of perspectives to understand the full context of the human experience and improve lives at every scale, from cells to society. Our research and academic programs focus on the interaction of humans with their biological, economic, social, and physical environments. Using Cornell's far-reaching extension network and the college's translational research methods, we deliver our findings directly to communities and families, ensuring that our work reaches those who need it most. We prioritize innovative collaboration and are fueled by a powerful, interdisciplinary, and applied approach to improving lives.

The Opportunity

The Division of Nutritional Sciences has an immediate opening for a Laboratory Manager to support Dr. Kimberly O’Brien’s laboratory. The main focus in the O’Brien laboratory is to help characterize the nutritional, genetic and hormonal determinants of mineral metabolism with an emphasis on maternal and child health. All of the on-going research is human subjects research. Much of the research involves biomedical mass spectrometry where stable mineral isotopes are given orally or intravenously as tracers. These tracers are measured using mass spectrometric instrumentation for high-sensitivity isotopic analyses. The lab performs these analyses on a state-of-the-art Thermoquest Triton TI magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometer.

Experiment Support & Protocol Adherence

Assist in executing experiments in human nutrition, setting up laboratory methods, ensuring protocols are followed, and analyzing stable iron isotopes and biological samples.

Data Analysis & Record Keeping

Analyze data, maintain meticulous records of experimental procedures, and support manuscript and grant proposal preparation.

Equipment & Budget Management

Assist the Principal Investigator with purchasing decisions, determining the ancillary equipment needed; obtain quotes and provide recommendations. Monitor the lab’s budget, investigating any discrepancies.

Literature Review & Writing Assistance

Participate in literature reviews and assist with methodology write-ups for manuscripts and grant proposal preparations.

Team Coordination & Training

Oversee and coordinate undergraduate research assistants’ workloads and schedules, provide training and support for graduate students, visitors, and other lab personnel.

Laboratory Operations & Safety

Ensure lab equipment is functional, necessary supplies are on hand, and laboratory safety procedures are strictly followed.

As the successful Laboratory Manager, you'll be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in human nutrition, playing a key role in advancing scientific discovery while fostering a collaborative and dynamic lab environment. You will demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. With exceptional problem-solving abilities, organizational skills, and adaptability, you'll efficiently manage multiple tasks while overseeing and training team members. Leadership, sound judgment, and accountability will be essential in ensuring smooth lab operations, maintaining safety protocols, and contributing to the lab’s overall success.

This is a one-year term position with the possibility of renewal. This is a fully onsite position that is based in Ithaca, NY. Typical work hours are 8:00AM-4:30PM Monday through Friday.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this position.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and up to 2 years related laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Demonstrates outstanding attention to detail, the ability to multi-task, and an understanding of experimental procedures.
• Ability to work independently while fostering a team environment.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Able to use sound judgment in decision making, troubleshooting problems, and providing solid recommendations for solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policy compliance, laboratory practice quality assurance, laboratory supply and inventory management, research documentation, and spreadsheet software.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and experience with molecular biology, chemistry, geology or biochemistry.
• Knowledge of mass spectrometry and stable isotopes is desirable.
• Previous supervisory experience.

A cover letter and resume are required for further consideration for this position.

University Job Title: Technician III

Job Family: Technical

Level: C

Pay Rate Type: Hourly