Research Technician

About This Role

The Division of Biology seeks a highly motivated person to support field research in soil fertility and water quality. Responsibilities of this position encompass the collection, organization and primary analysis of data on microbiology and chemistry of environmental water, biofilm and soil samples. Specific tasks include aseptic sample collection and handling in the field and the laboratory, general organization and maintenance of supplies in support of data collection, data and metadata organization.

Job duties will include approximately 25% fieldwork and 75% laboratory support of sample preparation and processing.

The Division of Biology at Kansas State University is composed of a dynamic group of tenured-track, research, and instructional faculty, as well as a large number of postdoctoral research associates, graduate students, and support staff. All of these individuals are essential to accomplish the Division of Biology’s mission, to generate and disseminate high-quality biological scientific knowledge through teaching, research, service, and outreach.

The research, teaching, and service interests of these individuals span all areas of biological research, teaching and training at the postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate levels, as well as service and outreach contributions to the broader scientific community and the public.

This position is On-site
.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS in Biology or related field.
• Experience with field-based research, preparedness for work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Experience in field sampling for soil fertility and water quality applications, including sample collection using appropriate handling for downstream molecular and chemistry analysis.
• Specific experience with 96‑well plate based chemical and biochemical assays, DNA extraction of standard and low biomass samples, and PCR based applications, including quantitative PCR of housekeeping and functional gene loci.
• Specific experience in with data and metadata organization including proficiency with Excel and Word software, and hierarchical organization of both raw and derived data products in association with sample and analysis metadata attributes, in preparation for databasing.
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Please submit the following documents:

• Online application

Applications close on:
March 20, 2026

$14.90 - $25.32 per hour