Michigan State University · 21 hours ago
Laboratory Technologist
East Lansing, MI
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
1+ years expMichigan State University is seeking a Laboratory Technologist to support biological community restoration programs in the Great Lakes basin. The role involves conducting field and laboratory research in collaboration with MSU and USGS scientists, focusing on ecological processes and restoration efforts for native species.
EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Field sampling and research support Travel with a field crew to collect environmental samples (e.g., algae, water, sediments, and dreissenid mussels) from pre-established transects across all four Great Lakes—Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—and associated waterways. Sampling is conducted by SCUBA-certified team members, including the successful candidate, primarily between May and September, with approximately 3–4 field visits per lake during this period
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis Apply eDNA and other DNA-based technologies to identify potential fish spawning tributaries for priority species, supporting ongoing Great Lakes fishery restoration programs
Native species restoration support Assist with group-directed projects related to native species restoration and reintroduction, including freshwater unionid mussels. This work is conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service and involves laboratory propagation of mussel larvae to produce juvenile mussels for further rearing by NPS prior to reintroduction into restored stream habitats
Scientific instrument deployment and data retrieval Deploy scientific instruments (e.g., Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers [ADCPs]) and retrieve and manage data from field-based instrumentation
Qualification
Required
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a related science field
One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in basic laboratory techniques
Experience in working in Biosafety Level 2 laboratories
Experience in molecular ecology and environmental DNA (eDNA) in biodiversity programs
Experience in empirical predictive modeling and microbiological analyses
An equivalent combination of education and experience
Resume
Cover Letter
Preferred
Experience coordinating field operations, including assembling field teams and scheduling tasks
Experience assisting with laboratory inventory management, equipment maintenance, annual servicing and calibrations, and implementation of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) programs
Experience analyzing data and contributing to the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Five years of related and progressively more responsible experience performing laboratory analyses on a wide range of environmental samples (e.g., algae, water, sediments, and fish tissue) to assess microbial communities and fish species of interest using DNA-based methods
Demonstrated proficiency with laboratory techniques, including membrane filtration, DNA extraction, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and in vitro freshwater mussel propagation
Certification in scuba diving is preferred: Industry recognized certifications (PADI, NAUI, ADCI)
Company
Michigan State University
Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Michigan State University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (163)
2024 (217)
2023 (224)
2022 (162)
2021 (121)
2020 (66)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$118.22MKey Investors
Carnegie Corporation of New YorkUS Department of EnergyDenso
2025-09-23Grant· $0.9M
2025-03-27Grant· $48.5M
2024-10-30Grant
Leadership Team
Raymond Boeman
Director, IACMI Scale-up Research Facility and Vehicle Technology Area
Stephanie Vasko
Senior Research and Innovation Consultant, MSU College of Arts and Letters
Recent News
DBusiness Magazine
2026-02-04
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