OPT Technical Support Engineer Jobs

Position Highlights

The Microbial Ecology and Genomics in Amphibians Lab at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is seeking a highly organized, responsible, and proactive Lab Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, support ongoing research initiatives, and cultivate a supportive, collaborative laboratory environment.

This position plays a pivotal role in keeping our research running smoothly, managing supplies and lab schedules, supporting student researchers, and facilitating clear communication within the lab. The ideal candidate brings prior management or coordination experience, strong leadership and mentorship abilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Prior experience working in a lab management or research position is ideal, but most important is the ability to learn new skills quickly, take initiative, and handle administrative tasks with high attention to detail.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Operational & Administrative Management

• Procurement & Inventory: Manage laboratory purchasing, track orders, maintain inventory of reagents and consumables
• Scheduling & Coordination: Oversee shared equipment schedules and manage shift or workstation rosters for lab personnel
• Lab Safety & Compliance: Ensure lab member compliance with RIT Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) guidelines, biosafety protocols, and institutional animal care guidelines (IACUC)
• Equipment & Facility Maintenance: Manage routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation and field gear

2. Team Leadership & Student Mentorship

• Mentorship & Onboarding: Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers in laboratory safety, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and professional conduct
• Team Collaboration: Foster an inclusive, supportive, and highly collaborative team culture across diverse lab members
• Workflow Management: Help delegate and monitor routine lab tasks to ensure accountability and project deadlines are met

3. Research Support & Communication

• Documentation & SOPs: Maintain and update protocol documentation, lab manuals, and centralized digital records
• Written & Oral Communication: Communicate with park managers and assist with regulatory permit applications/renewals
• Data Management: Assist in organizing genomic, microbial, and ecological records using established digital infrastructure

4. Community Engagement & Outreach (Optional, but Preferred)

• Public Outreach: Assist in planning, organizing, and executing science communication events, educational workshops, and public outreach programs
• Media & Digital Presence: Manage the lab’s social media accounts (e.g., Instagram) and update the lab website to highlight recent publications, research milestones, and team accomplishments

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides technical guidance and support to students, faculty, and researchers in the design, planning, and execution of research activities
• Aids in the fabrication, proto-typing, and testing of experimental materials, models, and devices
• Sets up, calibrates, maintains, and performs minor repairs of laboratory equipment, instruments, and tools for use in demonstrations, experiments, and analyses
• Prepares and standardizes chemical and biological samples or other materials for experiments
• Monitors laboratory operations and procedures to promote a safe working environment and ensure adherence to safety protocols. Enforces the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and waste
• Performs administrative duties related to lab scheduling, resource management, inventory tracking, and record-keeping for research and teaching activities
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of laboratory practices, procedures, and operations
• Knowledge of the standards, regulations, and protocols related to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and waste
• Ability to set up, calibrate, troubleshoot, or instruct the use of laboratory equipment and instruments
• Skill in time management, organization, and multi-tasking in high volume environments
• Skill in maintaining detailed records of research activities, ensuring documentation is thorough and easily accessible

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 2 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Operations, Administrative, Service, or Technical Support Level 1 - An entry-level role building knowledge and skills. Performs routine, well-defined, easy-to-understand tasks that can typically be learned in a short period of time. Work is performed under close supervision using clearly prescribed methods and detailed instructions.

FLSA Category

Non-Exempt

Work Location

Hybrid

Compensation

$19.65 - $31.45 Hourly

Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information. This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to careers@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.