Wastewater Lab Technician - Department of Biology

The Department of Biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Wastewater Lab Technician.

About the Opportunity

This position will be responsible for sample processing, concentration, and extraction workflows to support the wastewater testing program for the state of West Virginia.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Organizing sample metadata and receiving chores, including sample tracking.
• Laboratory processing of wastewater samples, including pathogen concentration and nucleic acid extraction.
• Computational analysis of data, using existing analysis protocols.
• Coordinating laboratory supplies and ordering.
• Communicating results to team members and troubleshooting protocol issues.

• Bachelor's degree in biology, microbiology, genomics, or other related life sciences discipline.
• 0-6 months of experience involving:
  
  
  
  • Experience in a life science (molecular or microbiological) laboratory setting.
  • Working within a QC and sample tracking system.
  • Sterile/aseptic technique using biosafety cabinets and PCR workstations.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Perform repetitive laboratory methods, including pipetting, centrifugation, and PCR.
• Work within a biosafety cabinet wearing appropriate protective equipment (laboratory coat, gloves, arm sleeves, eye protection).
• Organize samples efficiently using an existing barcoding system and track laboratory supplies.
• Engage basic computer skills (Excel) and learn custom software for data QC and analysis.
• Effectively present results (verbal and/or written) to team members.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.