Processing Lab Technician - Genetics

Lab Technician – Genetics

Job Type: Full-Time; Non-Exempt
Shift: Monday - Friday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm
Hourly Pay Rate Starting: $20.75/hr.
Location: Davis, CA

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Lab Supervisor and in alignment with the Company Core Values, the Lab Technician – Genetics assists in all day to day lab activities, including, but not limited to, processing plant materials, preparing media, employing aseptic technique, capturing data, sanitizing tools and equipment, operating lab equipment, and maintaining lab cleanliness. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Follow standard operating procedures at all times in a safe and compliant manner. 
• Prepare media suitable for plants or tissues to be cultured. 
• Sort, input, and process plant tissues for diagnostic testing. 
• Prepare buffers, reagents and other chemicals for standard molecular biology procedures. 
• Record data for inventory management, KPI's, and R&D. 
• Set up and operate equipment, including autoclave, centrifuges, diagnostic machinery, microscope, and pumps. 
• Maintain clean lab area, glassware, and equipment. 
• Prepare plants and tissues for initiation into culture.
• Subculture plants and tissues using aseptic technique. 
• Collaborate with and provide support to lab staff on Genetics R&D initiatives 
• Use computer software to analyze biological data (R, SnapGene, NCBI, etc.)
• Perform routine biological procedures such as PCR, Sanger sequencing, and plating techniques 
• Contribute to weekly lab meetings, present ongoing work and data from various projects 
• Promptly report breaches in compliance, safety, and sanitation to management. 
• Other duties may be assigned as required. 

Qualifications: Applicants must be 21+ years of age. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily (with or without accommodations). The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required 

Education and Experience:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Plant Sciences, Molecular Biology, Genetics or Biochemistry Competencies:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Efficiency, productivity, attention to detail, accuracy, and organization
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to accurately enter data in a spreadsheet or form

Physical Demands:

• Remaining in a seated or standing position for extended periods of time
• Performing delicate, repetitive tasks with hands, fingers, and wrists
• Exercising a consistently high degree of accuracy when using fine motor skills
• Reach overhead and/or use step stool
• Able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• Must wear PPE, including gloves, mask/respirator, eye protection, and lab coat
• Good eyesight (may be corrected)
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word  

Work Environment: 

• Climate controlled laboratory conditions
• Confined space and secured area
• Strong odors from machinery, culture media, plant matter, alcohol, bleach, and other chemicals
• Loud noises from machinery
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Normal hours of operation Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (may be subject to change depending on operational needs)