Laboratory Technician

Unified Business Solutions, LLC provides the right people, processes, and technology to ensure that our project team successfully delivers quality products and services to our federal government clients. 

We are looking for a lab  technician/assistant experienced in plant cytogenetics to assist in a research laboratory and greenhouse. This is a part-time position  that will average 600 hours annually. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Execute the following tasks in support of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) research activities:

• Germination of tree species (e.g., ashes, chestnuts, oaks, pines, etc.) seeds, and growing/raising seedlings in a greenhouse for root samples
• Preparation of solutions and reagents related to molecular cytological analysis
• Use of stereo and compound microscopes
• Preparation of root tip chromosome spread slides and analyses to select the good spreads for FISH experiment. Storing the unused slides at -80C for future uses
• Selection of pollen mother cells (PMC) from anthers/catkins for Pachytene chromosome spreads for FISH experiment
• Assisting in conducting FISH experiment and keeping inventory lab related supplies
• Disposing of chemicals (hazardous/non-hazardous) appropriately

WHAT WE REQUIRE

Authorized to work in the United States and able to pass a Federal Background Check

Minimum Education
BS/BA degree in biological or plant sciences with 5 years cytogenetics lab experience; or MS degree in plant sciences with 2 years cytogenetics lab experience

Specific Experience Requirements

• Germinating and growing tree seedlings
• Preparing chemical solutions
• Using stereo and compound microscopes
• Preparing root tips for chromosome spreading
• Differentiating plant reproductive structures
• Properly disposing of used reagents

Desired Experience
Verifiable understanding of and/or experience with the FISH technique is desired but not considered a minimum requirement