Greenhouse Research Support Technician
University of Chicago
Department
BSD E&E - Administration
About the Department
Job Summary
Responsibilities
- Waters and monitors research plants to ensure proper growth.
- Sets, adjusts, and observes greenhouse environmental conditions.
- Scouts for insects, plant health issues, or building concerns that could impact crops.
- Identifies and responds to problems such as incorrect temperatures, pests, or plant damage, taking corrective action as needed.
- Assists students, faculty, and staff with research projects.
- Supports lab members in preparing and conducting experiments.
- Performs basic laboratory techniques following established procedures or protocols.
- Maintains plants used in laboratory experiments.
- Assists in analyzing data.
- Maintains greenhouse supplies; orders materials as needed.
- Washes and sanitizes equipment and growing areas.
- Uses tools, ladders, and powerwashing equipment safely.
- Replaces light bulbs and assists with basic facility upkeep.
- Provides general administrative support as needed.
- Wet lab benchwork, including DNA extraction and library preparation.
- Plant care, phenotyping, and tissue collection.
- Dry lab work including handling, measuring, and/or weighing plant tissue.
- Data entry.
- Assists with the collection of samples and seeds from field sites around the Midwest.
- Logistical support to the labs, including assistance with procuring and stocking equipment and reagents, managing inventory of research supplies, coordinating usage of shared equipment across lab personnel, and overseeing lab safety compliance and training.
- Contributes to data analysis and manuscript preparation, and/or build skills toward this capacity.
- Assists in analyzing data; assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts, and other documents.
- Provides technical and administrative support for a research project.
- Collects and enters data. Assists in analyzing data. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
- Assists with the installation, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Degree in the life sciences.
Experience:
- 2-5 years greenhouse experience.
Preferred Competencies
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Learn new research techniques and methods.
- Work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Working Conditions
- Availability to work weekends and holidays.
- Stand for up to 2 hours at a time.
- Sit for up to 2 hours at a time.
- Safely climb stairs and move between rows of benches.
- Lift up to 25 lbs. safely.
- This is a part-time position of approximately 24 hours per week.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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