Community Science Lab Technician

Bard College, a liberal arts college on the Hudson River, is a private institution working in the public interest.

Employer Website: https://apply.interfolio.com/82115

Bard College invites applications for the position of Community Science Lab Technician for the Open Society University Network (OSUN) Global Community Science Coalition. The Lab Technician will work with the Director of the OSUN Community Science Coalition and the Director of the Community Science Lab to support teaching and research activities that utilize the Community Science Lab core facility instrumentation (e.g., DNA sequencer, real-time PCR, carbon analyzer, ion chromatography). This is a full time position.

The OSUN Community Science Coalition works to bridge the widening gaps between climate-adapting communities, academic institutions, and the equitable management of shared natural resources including drinkable water, fertile soils, and clean air. Through place-based, community-centric activities, the coalition leverages OSUN’s global distribution by creating a network of community-academic institution partnerships to investigate and address the coupled human and natural dimensions of resource sustainability in the face of climate change. Building on the strengths of the Bard Center for the Study of Land, Air, and Water, the Community Science Coalition supports community science projects through its Community Science Lab. This core lab facility conducts environmental testing in response to community concerns. The data generated will be used, along with measurements from field-based Climate Observatories, to evaluate local climate impacts and inform decision makers.

The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation and religion.

Bard College’s main campus is in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY with 1900 undergraduate students; the campus also features multiple graduate programs. The 1000 acre campus sits along the Hudson River and offers the Fisher Performing Arts Center, the Hessel Museum of Art, as well as the home of the Bard Prison Initiative, the largest college degree granting prison education program in the U.S. The Bard Network also includes several Bard High School Early Colleges across the country as well as five international campuses and partnerships. The Bard Network is complex and demonstrates Bard’s priorities well in addition to the College’s emphasis on civic engagement.

Bard College is a private institution working in the public interest. Bard faculty and staff lead their students by example, building upon the existing network of boundary-breaking programs focussed on rethinking who can and should be included in this kind of education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
● Promoting the use of shared core instrumentation in courses and student and faculty research by providing technical assistance
● Sample intake, processing, and analysis
● Method development and optimization
● Data processing, analysis, management, and reporting including QA/QC
● Provide logistical support for the maintenance of environmental monitoring equipment associated with the Bard-Annandale Climate Observatory site and technical support for equipment deployed internationally
● Training of faculty, staff, and students at Bard-Annandale (and other OSUN campuses, as needed)
● Mentoring of student interns
● Maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment
● General laboratory tasks such as preparing standards and reagents, washing glassware, documenting equipment use and performance, and maintaining lab inventory

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
● Bachelor’s Degree (or two or more years of closely related employment) ● Science background (at least 20 hours of laboratory coursework)
● Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
● Attention to detail
● Effective communication skills, including the ability to write and speak to broad audiences about technical ideas
● Potential to work autonomously, in close communication with other staff
● Flexibility and the ability to multitask and meet deadlines

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Master’s Degree
● Molecular biology or analytical chemistry coursework or experience
● Previous experience working with environmental samples (i.e., water, soil)
● Experience teaching and/or supervising
● Proficiency with Microsoft Excel
● A valid driver’s license and comfort driving 12-passenger vans

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
● Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work in standard office and laboratory environments
● Must be able to work occasional weekends and evenings as needed

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS:
● Intellectual curiosity and a positive attitude
● Enthusiasm for working as part of a multidisciplinary team that does science with communities to address relevant environmental issues
● Creativity, initiative, and adaptability to contribute to a range of new and ongoing projects
● Readiness to lead and work collaboratively with others in a variety of contexts and environments

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references through Interfolio https://http://apply.interfolio.com/82115 . Review of applications will begin January 4 and will proceed until the position is filled.

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE