Laboratory and Field Assistant Position Available In Strafford, New Hampshire

Laboratory and Field Assistant
University of New Hampshire
in Durham, NH

Apply Now Type:

Adjunct/Part-Time

Posted:

05/25/2025

Category:

Laboratory and Research USNH Employees should apply within Workday through the Jobs Hub app Laboratory and field technician needed for the Soil BioME center within the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Position will be through the summer with possible extension for following fall and spring semesters. Required attributes are strong work ethic, ability to operate independently once trained, and willingness to maintain a consistent schedule. Routine duties include data entry and management, the ability to perform tedious and repetitive tasks such as dish washing, sieving and sub-sampling soils, laboratory assay prep and clean-up, as well as maintaining proper documentation of assay notes in a laboratory notebook. Specialized skills we would like to train specific to our sample processing needs will include proficiency in aseptic technique, DNA extraction, PCR analysis, and fungal culturing. Fieldwork requires the ability to be outdoors for 6+ hours, lift and carry 25+ lbs. short distances, and a willingness to occasionally put up with pesky bugs and warm conditions. Duties/Responsibilities (37.5%) Routine laboratory assistance
Routine laboratory assistance consists of training and then independent use of autoclaves for glassware, tools, and biological sample sterilization, training and then independent use of acid dishwashers to clean dishware, data entry of continuous sample assay measurements, assisting graduate students with sample prep and analysis of thesis work, and chemical solution preparation.
(37.5%) Molecular extraction and amplification
Applicant will be trained in aseptic technique to extract and purify fungal and bacterial DNA, trained in PCR amplification of extracted DNA, and sample submission prep to the Hubbard Genome Center for sequencing.
(25%) Field sampling assistance
Fieldwork assistance consists of travel to Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA to help maintain and sample at long-term ecological experiments of soil warming and nutrient additions. Specific tasks include recording measurements such as tree diameter, soil moisture and temperature, and leaf litter collection. Must be available at minimum, one full day per every other week throughout the late spring and summer.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

Must have at minimum, a high school degree and be 18+ years of age

Required Licenses & Certifications:

Upon being hired, worker must complete the Laboratory and Chemical Safety, Handling of Hazardous Materials, and Biosafety Level 1 trainings as provided by Environmental Health and Safety at UNH – these will be provided by the lab manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Those that have taken courses through Natural Resources and the Environment and/or Microbiology departments, as well as previous laboratory experience (in any capacity) are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

Those displaying familiarity with microscopy, aseptic techniques, and/or chemical solution making, a bonus.
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry. EEO Statement The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:

Adjunct Hourly Staff 00
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S.
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