Temporary Research Technician - Media Prep

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147

Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with strong attention to detail to join the Media Facility team as a Temporary Research Technician. In this role, you will work closely with the current team to provide support for Janelia's independent labs, project teams, and visiting scientists for their groundbreaking research.

*This is a temporary position intended to last about 5 months until January 2026.

What we provide:

• An opportunity to gain laboratory experience in a collaborative environment.
• An opportunity to engage with world-class researchers, contribute to impactful science, and be part of a dynamic community committed to advancing humanity's understanding of fundamental scientific questions.
• A supportive team that works together to continuously improve the services we offer to support science.

• Prepare and dispense different types of media, including, but not limited to, bacterial plates, liquid media, buffers, and fly food.
• Sterilize media and equipment using an autoclave.
• Maintain an inventory of chemical, office, and laboratory supplies.
• Contributes to lab organization and other support duties related to lab operations as required, while looking for ways to improve lab processes.
• Organize, clean, and maintain all laboratory spaces, including all equipment.
• Conduct literature reviews to assist in determining the most suitable methods to be used in research.
• Works independently while under the guidance and mentorship of a supervisor.
• Actively contribute to laboratory meetings and planning sessions.

• Bachelor's degree in life science or an appropriate field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work within a team in a collaborative, service-oriented environment.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize tasks, use good judgement, and monitor completion of assigned duties. Accountable for tasks.
• Ability to operate complex scientific equipment.
• Must be able to work in a dynamic and agile environment.
• Good documentation and organizational skills.