Laboratory Technician

Job Summary

The Hollis Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina is seeking a laboratory technician to work on NSF-funded research examining the process of speciation by reinforcement using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster.

The technician, under the general supervision of the PI, will maintain laboratory animal populations, manage and execute experiments, perform basic molecular biology, and contribute to the labs day-to-day functions.

The technician will contribute to manuscripts and present results of their research to the PI and to the lab group. The ultimate goal of our NSF-funded project is to gain greater understanding of how selection against hybridization can result in the sharpening of species boundaries.

Required Education and Experience in Biology or a related discipline and 1 or more years of experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and / or experience.

Preferred Qualifications Previous experience working with Drosophila (rearing, genetic crosses) as well as basic microscopy skills.

Strong candidates will have 2+ years of experience working in a research laboratory, as well as the ability to work independently and effective oral and written communication skills.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities The technician must be able to design, conduct, and analyze experimental research. They must be able to work both independently and as part of a larger team.

They must conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.

Job Duties Job Duty The technician will be responsible for maintaining populations of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, including both laboratory stocks and experimentally-evolving reinforcement populations Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 40 Job Duty With guidance from the PI, the technician will design and implement experiments, record experimental procedures, analyze data, interpret results, and read and synthesize the speciation scientific literature Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty The technician will execute basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA extractions and PCR, on a time series of D.

melanogaster populations. This work will allow the lab group to learn how the genomes and transcriptomes of experimentally-evolving populations change over long-term manipulation in the lab.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty The technician will contribute substantially to the labs day-to-day functions maintaining research records, managing laboratory supplies, and training students).

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty The technician will attend and present data at lab meetings and other relevant meetings, and assist in the preparation of progress reports, manuscripts, and other materials for research dissemination Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty The technician will assist graduate students in their experiments and supervise and mentor undergraduate student researchers Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Position Attributes Hazardous weather category Non-Essential Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR Drug and Alcohol Testing.

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