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 apply@nevadastate.edu.

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Student Worker - STEM Research Lab Technician. This position provides hands-on research and lab support for faculty-led research projects and course-based undergraduate research Experience (CUREs) in the department of Physical and Life Sciences. This role involves assisting with research experiments in multiple STEM areas such as microbiology and molecular biology/genetics, chemistry and physics while providing technical support to student and faculty.

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 2024, the enrollment surpassed 7,500, with 7,464 undergraduate students and 85 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 41% are Hispanic, 13% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Black/African American, 22% are White, and 6% are multiracial.

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:

Experimental and Technical Support

• Maintain and manage model organisms used in research, such as Drosophila melanogaster, including tasks like stock maintenance, virgin collection, and genetic cross setups.
• Set up and run molecular biology experiments (e.g., PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and sequencing).
• Prepare chemical reagents and biological media for research use in accordance with research protocols.

Research Support and Data Management

• Assist with data collection, and data logging.
• Assist with data processing and summarizing experimental data using spreadsheets and/or statistical software (e.g., Excel or SPSS).
• Maintain accurate records of lab activities in electronic lab notebooks or designated databases.

Instructional and Safety Support

• Support faculty in CURE based coursework by preparing related lab materials.
• Train new students in lab safety procedures, basic laboratory techniques, and proper equipment use.
• Monitor lab for adherence to safety protocols and contribute to a culture of safety.

Laboratory Maintenance and Logistics

• Maintain laboratory equipment and instruments in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and internal maintenance schedules, including daily monitor of refrigerator and freezer temperatures, pH meter calibration, fume hood operation checks, etc.
• Report equipment malfunctions or other lab issues by creating work orders and coordinate repairs with the appropriate facilities or service units.
• Receive, unpack, and inventory shipments of laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Maintain glassware and consumables by washing, sterilizing, and storing properly.
• Dispose of biological and chemical waste following institutional and regulatory protocols.
• Organize and label chemicals, reagents, and supplies; update chemical inventory management systems accordingly.
• Keep the lab safe, clean, orderly, and functional for research and instructional purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Currently enrolled at Nevada State in a program with coursework in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.
• 1 year of working as a lab technician or lab assistant required
• At least one year of research experience in a wet-lab setting, including summer research programs such as INBRE- iSURF, UROP, EPSCoR, or NASA-funded programs.
• Successful completion of BIOL 300L and a Molecular Biology course is required.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Preferred Qualifications:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of additional 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 apply@nevadastate.edu.

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 | career@nevadastate.edu) 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