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The DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES invites applications for a RESEARCH ASSISTANT III. The responsibilities of the position include lab maintenance, cell culturing, preparation of recombinant nucleic acids, media and other reagent preparation, and implementation and refinement of lab protocols. The candidate will also be expected to develop and perform more advanced and complex experiments involving bacteriophage purification, genetic reporters, chromatography-based separation of proteins, and other biochemical and genetic techniques.

In addition to the above duties, the candidate will also assist in training and supervising undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory techniques and practices, ensuring a safe workplace for laboratory staff. The candidate will make recommendations based upon the performance of other employees or students, which will then be approved by the Principal Investigator. The candidate will be responsible for the following duties:

• Identify, reorder and restock reagents and other consumables necessary for research activities.
• Recommend changes to lab inventory and/or procedures in order to cut costs and improve lab safety/efficiency.
• Oversee the maintenance of lab equipment ensuring equipment is calibrated and fully functional.
• Develop and refine protocols for general lab research activities.
• Evaluate and report on the performance of other lab personnel including making determinations and decisions regarding the final selection of candidates for hire (which will be approved by the Principal Investigator).
• Manage and document lab safety protocols.
• Oversee and ensure all lab personnel and facilities are following compliance and lab safety regulations.
• Manage and recommend purchases using grant funding and ensure compliance with the policies of funding agencies.

This position requires an incumbent to develop a working knowledge needed to independently design and engineer mutant bacterial strains including clean deletions, point mutants, fluorescent transcriptional reporters, rescue cloning, and other genetic tools and techniques used in a molecular microbiology lab. Additionally, the candidate will develop a working knowledge needed to design chromatography protocols for the purification of biological materials such as proteins, bacteriophage, or cell envelope components.

Required Skills

• Experience in the application of molecular biology theory,
• Experience with DNA cloning and other molecular biology techniques, including RNA extraction, reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, blotting and probing.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills and accurate record keeping skills.
• The ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines with little supervision are essential.
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out protocols in microbiology and molecular biology with the expectation that these skills will be enhanced through work in the lab.

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in science (or related field); or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with bacteriophage is preferred.
• Experience with mice would be an advantage.

About the Division of Biological Sciences and UM

The Division of Biological Sciences delivers high‐quality academic programs in the biological sciences. The Division educates students at all levels from the baccalaureate to the doctoral, so that they develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed as professional biologists and as citizens in a rapidly changing world. We foster strong research programs that create new knowledge, understanding, and approaches in biology. These programs enhance the learning environment for students by involving them directly in mentored research and provide solutions that benefit the university, state, region, nation, and the world.

The University of Montana is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and has a student body of approximately 10,000 undergraduates and graduates, including more than 1,500 students of color and more than 900 international students and scholars from more than 70 countries. We encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disability preference in accordance with state law.

Position Details

POSITION TITLE:                    RESEARCH ASSISTANT III

POSITION NUMBER:              NEW

DEPARTMENT:                       Division of Biological Sciences

WORK SCHEDULE:                 Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), 12 months/year.

SALARY:                                $15.395/HR – Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department.

UNION AFFILIATION:               none

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:        Six months minimum

BENEFITS INCLUDE:               Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 2019 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
2. DETAILED RESUME – listing education and describing work experience.
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

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Required Skills Required Experience

High school diploma or equivalent Special Certification or Licensing:

• Valid Driver's License Legal Age Requirements:
• At least 18 years of age

Type of Travel Required:

• Regional - Daily Amount of Travel Required:
• 10%