Research Technician I (Extended Temporary Employment)

University of Arizona

life insurance, vision insurance, sick time

United States, Arizona, Tucson

Mar 04, 2025

Research Technician I (Extended Temporary Employment)
Posting Number	req22076
Department	Environmental Science-Res
Department Website Link	https://envs.arizona.edu/research
Location	County Extensions and Farms
Address	4210 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
Position Highlights	The Plant-Soil-Environment Laboratory of Dr. Alicja Babst-Kostecka in the department of Environmental Sciences of the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences within The University of Arizona seeks to fill the position of Research Technician I. This position provides essential support in plant specimen analysis. Under detailed instructions and supervision, this role will assist with routine experimental setups, specimen preparation, and basic equipment maintenance following detailed protocols. The successful candidate will work closely with herbaria staff and research teams, supporting both lab and field activities while adhering to established safety and quality standards. This position is ideal for individuals eager to gain foundational research experience in a structured, team-oriented environment. This is an Extended Temporary Employment position that will begin at a 0.5 FTE with the potential to transition to 1.0 FTE in approximately 3-4 months when the project is fully underway. Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities	Research activities to be performed with detailed instruction provided and under supervision: Operate pXRF equipment to perform routine scans on plant specimens in designated herbaria, following detailed protocols. Using template and guidance from senior staff, keep accurate and detailed records of established procedures, collected data, and any protocol deviations. Assist in collecting, organizing and maintaining metadata in a structured format to support accurate reporting and analysis. Adhere to all safety protocols and regulations related to pXRF equipment and hazardous materials and report any issues to supervisor immediately. Field Activities: With detailed instruction provided, assist in setting up field campaigns, including logistics and on-site support. Collect plant seeds, cuttings, and soil samples from designated field sites for analysis, adhering to established protocols and safety guidelines. Document field activities and ensure the safe transport, labeling, and storage of collected materials, maintaining records for further analysis. Travel: Following provided guidelines, assist in arranging travel schedules, including transportation and accommodations, for herbarium visits. Help maintain an up-to-date inventory of pXRF-related supplies, ensuring equipment readiness and availability at site locations. Work closely with herbarium staff during visits to support scanning activities, assist with metadata collection, and adhere to safety protocols. Laboratory Maintenance Activities: Participate in new-team-member orientation sessions by shadowing experienced technicians in pXRF operation, setup, and safety protocols. Follow established safety guidelines during all laboratory activities and perform routine checks, promptly reporting any concerns or deviations to supervisors. Follow existing operational protocols to assist in maintaining lab efficiency, providing feedback to supervisors, as needed, to support ongoing process improvement. Knowledge, skills and abilities: Flexibility to travel for scheduled herbarium visits and field campaigns. Ability to follow established safety protocols. Ability to follow detailed instructions, meet deadlines, and manage time effectively. Verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with research teams and herbaria staff. Skill in data entry and record keeping. Familiarity with plant-soil interactions and laboratory research techniques.
Minimum Qualifications	High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the Fleet Safety Policy
Preferred Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field. Experience with herbarium specimen handling, field sample collection or data management.
FLSA	Non-Exempt
Full Time/Part Time	Part Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week	20 - 40
Job FTE	.50 - 1.0
Work Calendar	Fiscal
Job Category	Research
Benefits Eligible	Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay	$15.00 - $18.75
Compensation Type	hourly rate
Grade	2
Compensation Guidance	The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Grade Range Minimum	$15
Grade Range Midpoint	$18.75
Grade Range Maximum	$22.5
Career Stream and Level	OC1
Job Family	Research & Lab
Job Function	Research
Type of criminal background check required:	Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies	1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date	9/1/2026
Contact Information for Candidates	Adrian Paul aldpaul@arizona.edu
Open Date	3/3/2025
Open Until Filled	Yes
Documents Needed to Apply	Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant	References will be requested and checked for the final candidate of the recruitment for this position.
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report	In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.