Technician III

The Opportunity

The Technician III position supports research within the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology's Benning Lab by providing technical, computational, and laboratory support across multiple projects. Responsibilities include maintaining laboratory equipment, operating 3D-printing and prototyping tools, fabricating custom research materials, assisting with DNA sequencing workflows, and supporting plant and microbial research systems. The role also manages laboratory records, inventory, procurement, safety protocols, and overall technical operations to support the lab's research activities.

About The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is Cornell University's second-largest college and a leader in purpose-driven science, research, education, and outreach. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, CALS addresses complex global challenges related to scientific discovery, food security, environmental health, and community well-being. Its work spans New York, the nation, and the world to create solutions that support a sustainable and prosperous future.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory 3D-printing and prototyping equipment, including routine calibration, consumable management, and equipment upkeep.
• Coordinate laboratory supply inventory, procurement requests, and maintenance of shared lab spaces, growth chambers, equipment, and consumable stocks.
• Fabricate and assemble custom laboratory consumables and hardware for field and laboratory experiments following established designs and specifications.
• Support DNA sequencing workflows, including sample handling, library preparation, and other laboratory procedures following established protocols.
• Perform standard wet-lab procedures across plant and microbial research projects while maintaining accurate documentation.
• Maintain laboratory computing, data management, and digital record systems under supervisor direction.
• Develop and maintain databases, data pipelines, and computing infrastructure to support laboratory datasets.
• Enter, organize, quality-check, and summarize experimental data using spreadsheets, laboratory databases, and computational tools such as R, Python, or Excel.
• Maintain accurate and well-documented research records to support reproducible computational and laboratory workflows.
• Clean and sanitize laboratory benches, glassware, and equipment while following established standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assist with the development and documentation of SOPs for recurring fabrication, sequencing, and computational tasks.

What We Need

Please submit either a CV or a resume, along with a cover letter, for further consideration.

• Associate's degree and up to 2 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, with familiarity with Outlook.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, procedures, and proper waste handling practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds

This is a part-time (30-39 hours per week), endowed position based in Ithaca, NY, and is fully on-site. The anticipated schedule is approximately 35 hours per week, with the final schedule determined in collaboration with the supervisor based on departmental needs. Hours will not exceed 39 per week. Core working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a one-year term appointment contingent upon available work, funding, and satisfactory performance.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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