Research Technician II

The Arizona Astrobiology Center (AABC) at the University of Arizona seeks a highly motivated Research Technician to support an emerging interdisciplinary research program in quantum biology and astrobiology. The successful candidate will help build research capacity in literature synthesis, comparative genomics, protein sequence analysis, molecular and cellular biology, microscopy, behavioral assays, data visualization, and collaborative work. Current research directions include studies of aromatic networks in biological molecules and cytoskeletal proteins, and experimental investigations of cellular behavior, learning-like responses, and information processing in unicellular organisms such as Paramecium and Tetrahymena.

Astrobiology is an exciting interdisciplinary field about the origins, evolution and distribution of life in the universe. The Arizona Astrobiology Center is a hub for many scientific endeavors, providing bold and transformative dialogue.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Research Support in Quantum Biology and Astrobiology

• Provides routine and technical administrative support to research projects.

Computational and Genomic Analysis Support

• Collects and compiles research data.
• Completes basic calculations of test results.

Laboratory Research Assistance

• Orders lab supplies and maintains inventory.
• Assists in conducting routine laboratory research activities under general supervision, ensuring adherence to established protocols and procedures.
• Participates in the calibration and validation of laboratory instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability in research applications.
• Maintains detailed records of experimental procedures, observations, results, and any deviations from standard methodologies in accordance with standards.
• Maintains cleanliness and organization within the laboratory environment, ensuring all equipment and instruments are properly calibrated and functional.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic understanding of astrobiology, origins-of-life research, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related fields.
• Familiarity with the role of organic molecules in prebiotic chemistry and living systems.
• Knowledge of emerging research questions in quantum biology.
• Basic understanding of protein structure, amino-acid chemistry, molecular evolution, or biological sequence analysis.
• Familiarity with research methods used in natural sciences, biological sciences, computational biology, or physical sciences.
• Knowledge of best practices for research documentation, data management, and reproducible workflows
• Knowledge in science communication, outreach, or educational programming related to astrobiology.
• Knowledge in the relationship between molecular structure, biological information processing, cellular behavior, and the origin of life.
• Research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize scientific literature and identify important open questions.
• Ability to organize and analyze biological, chemical, molecular, or experimental datasets.
• Ability to learn and apply computational tools for sequence analysis, database searches, visualization, and data interpretation.
• Laboratory skills or willingness to learn laboratory methods related to cell culture, microscopy, behavioral assays, or molecular biology.
• Strong writing skills for preparing summaries, protocols, figure captions, research notes, and draft materials.
• Strong communication skills for participating in interdisciplinary scientific discussions.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, timelines, datasets, and research activities.
• Careful attention to detail in laboratory work, computational analysis, and scientific documentation.
• Ability to work across disciplinary boundaries connecting planetary science, chemistry, biology, physics, and information science.
• Ability to contribute creatively to the development of new research ideas and experimental approaches.
• Ability to collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar scientific concepts and translate them into practical research tasks.
• Ability to troubleshoot experimental, computational, or organizational challenges.
• Ability to support the development of a new research program in quantum biology and astrobiology.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency.
• 3 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Experience with molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, microscopy, live-cell imaging, or organismal culture.
• Experience with Python, R, MATLAB, ImageJ/Fiji, GraphPad Prism, Excel, or other data-analysis and visualization tools.
• Coursework or research experience in quantum physics, biophysics, physical chemistry, photochemistry, spectroscopy, molecular evolution, prebiotic chemistry, or astrobiology.
• Experience preparing scientific figures, posters, presentations, manuscripts, or literature reviews.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary research environments.