STEM Research Lab Technician Student Worker

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• The required documents are listed below on the posting. Your application may not be considered if you do not attach the required documents.

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Completed applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

• Please note, recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or [email protected].

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Student Worker - STEM Research Lab Technician. The student worker position supports student and faculty research activities in the department of Physical and Life Sciences (PaLS) by providing hands-on laboratory and technical assistance. This includes supporting students enrolled in independent studies and CURE-based courses, as well as students participating in program-funded and volunteer research, and faculty-led research projects across multiple STEM fields, including microbiology, molecular biology/genetics, chemistry, and physics. The Lab Technician helps maintain laboratory safety, equipment, supplies, and operations and works closely with the Undergraduate Research Program Director and PaLS Department Chair to facilitate research activities and ensure safe and effective laboratory operations.

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2025, the enrollment surpassed 8,400, with 8,287 undergraduate students and 117 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 48% are Hispanic, 10% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 10% are Black/African American, and 22% are White.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community.

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Core Responsibilities:

Research, Technical, and CURE Support

• Support student and faculty research across multiple STEM fields, including microbiology, molecular biology/genetics, chemistry, and physics.
• Provide laboratory and technical support for independent studies, program-funded and volunteer research, faculty-led projects, and CURE-based courses.
• Work closely with the Undergraduate Research Program Director and PaLS Department Chair, following established work instructions and coordinating laboratory support for research and instructional activities.
• Maintain research organisms, assist with experimental procedures, and prepare reagents, media, and other laboratory materials in accordance with established protocols.
• Train and assist students in laboratory techniques, equipment use, and safety procedures.

Research Documentation and Student Access

• Verify required safety training and research documentation are completed and in place before students, including volunteers, independent study students, and program-funded researchers, are granted laboratory access or begin research activities.
• Assist with data collection, recording, processing, and summarization, and maintain accurate research and laboratory records.

Laboratory Operations and Maintenance

• Maintain laboratory equipment, instruments, and facilities, including routine monitoring, calibration, and operational checks.
• Receive, inventory, organize, and maintain laboratory supplies, chemicals, reagents, glassware, and consumables.
• Report equipment or laboratory issues and coordinate repairs with appropriate facilities or service units.
• Manage biological and chemical waste in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Laboratory Safety and Compliance

• Monitor laboratory activities and maintain a safe, clean, organized, and functional environment in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure students and faculty working in the laboratory have completed required safety training and follow applicable laboratory safety protocols.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be in good academic standing and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Must be enrolled as a degree seeking student with a minimum of 6 credits in the current or upcoming semester at Nevada State.
• Currently enrolled at Nevada State in a program with coursework in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Research experience in a wet-lab setting, or have completed a summer research programs such as INBRE- iSURF, UROP, EPSCoR, or NASA-funded programs.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Successful completion of BIOL 300L and a Molecular Biology course, other upper-division biology or chemistry laboratory courses.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and bacterial transformation.
• Currently entering junior or senior year of undergraduate study.

Work Hours:

This position will work up to 19.5 hours per week.

Hourly Rate:

$16.00 per hour.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Please upload the following documents: 

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Copy of Fall or Spring schedule and proof of current GPA;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Student candidates are encouraged to visit the Career Services Center (RSC 128 | 702-992-2611 | [email protected]) to receive assistance with their resume, cover letter, and/or interview skills.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University