<div dir="ltr">Posted: 16 August 2022<br><br>Research Technician<br><br>(Role Title: Laboratory & Research Specialist I)<br><br>Position #:00085 Salary Range: Pay Band 3<br>Location: Martinsville VA Minimum Starting Pay: $25,000-$30,000<br><br>An exceptional job opportunity in the Research and Collections Division of the Virginia Museum of Natural<br>History (VMNH) is now available. This is a full-time position with an excellent state benefits package.<br>VMNH is the official state repository of natural history collections; current holdings include a large variety of dry<br>and fluid-preserved invertebrates and vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals); frozen tissues;<br>invertebrate and vertebrate fossils; rocks and minerals; and archeological artifacts.<br>If you meet the qualifications for Research Technician, we invite you to apply to join our staff. This position is<br>available beginning January 2023<br>We seek a dynamic individual to assist the Assistant Curator of Herpetology and the Curator of Mammalogy in<br>conducting research, preparing and cataloguing specimens, and performing field and laboratory work, as well<br>as performing other day-to-day tasks related to preserving, documenting, and studying natural history<br>specimens with a focus on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, or<br>higher, in biology, or a related field. The successful candidate will have knowledge of, or willingness and ability<br>to learn, skills required to collect and prepare dry and fluid-preserved vertebrate specimens as well as skills<br>required to prepare tissue samples for molecular analyses. In addition, the individual will preferably have<br>supervisory experience, including experience mentoring students, interns, and/or working with volunteers. The<br>position requires excellent handwriting; meticulous attention to detail and accuracy; excellent written and verbal<br>communication skills; excellent organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to prioritize and to work<br>independently; and demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and relational database software.<br>This position reports to the Curator of Mammalogy.<br>DUTIES:<br> Assist with fieldwork to collect specimens of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals and other research-<br>related data.<br> Assist with labwork to prepare tissue samples for molecular analyses.<br> Prepare biological specimens including frozen tissue samples, fluid specimens (amphibians and<br>reptiles), study skins of mammals and birds, and skeletons. Many mammals and birds will be prepared<br>from salvaged (e.g., road-killed) individuals.<br> Create and attach handwritten specimen labels and tags as well as other labels as needed.<br> Assist with maintaining colony of dermestid beetles.<br> Maintain inventories and logs of specimens and samples as they are being prepared and analyzed.<br> Enter specimen data and other information into electronic databases.<br> Perform activities related to storage, organization, and maintenance of collections.<br> Assist with supervision of students, volunteers, and interns who are performing research-related tasks.<br><br> Assist with science outreach activities including specimen-based presentations and programs for K-12<br>school groups and the general public.<br><br>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:<br> Bachelor’s degree in vertebrate zoology, evolutionary biology, or related field, is required, and<br>experience beyond the Bachelor’s degree is preferred.<br> Knowledge of vertebrate anatomy and vertebrate classification.<br> Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.<br> Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent handwriting.<br> Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.<br> Strong ability to prioritize and to work independently.<br> Experience with MS Office suite programs.<br> Ability to work outdoors in hot or cold conditions, lift heavy objects, and walk on uneven ground.<br>PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:<br> Master’s degree in biology, or equivalent experience.<br> Knowledge of taxonomy and identification of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles of eastern North<br>America.<br> Knowledge of techniques for preparing fluid and dry vertebrate specimens.<br> Knowledge of techniques for preparing tissue samples for molecular analyses.<br> Knowledge of laboratory methods and techniques including routine molecular tasks (e.g., DNA<br>extraction, PCR, DNA visualization, Sanger/Next-Generation sequencing).<br> Knowledge of techniques for storing, organizing, and maintaining natural history collections.<br> Familiarity and experience with vertebrate collecting techniques.<br> Experience with large electronic databases and with collections management software (e.g., Specify,<br>Arctos).<br> Experience supervising students, interns, and/or volunteers.<br>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE:<br>The position is Pay Band 3 (minimum starting salary: $25,000.00-$30,000.00<br>An excellent state benefits package (including health insurance and retirement) is offered and detailed at<br><a href="http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/genlbenefits/benefitsdescription.html">http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/genlbenefits/benefitsdescription.html</a>.<br>APPLICATION PROCESS:<br>Only online applications are accepted. In addition to the online application, applicants must submit a cover<br>letter, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information of at least three references. These documents<br>may be attached to the online application.<br>Review of applications will begin 3 October 2022.<br>The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment is available at:<br><a href="https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/">https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/</a><br><br>If you have questions about the position or the application process, please contact Lynette Perkins, Human<br>Resources Manager at 276-634-4158.<br><br>The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet based system operated by<br>the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows<br>participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.<br>We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard<br>to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of<br>identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="arial, sans-serif">Liberty Hightower</font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Biology Research
Technician</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Virginia Museum of Natural
History</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">21 Starling Ave</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Martinsville, VA 24112</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Office: 276.634.4175</font></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>