Do you thrive in a collaborative and solution-oriented environment? Does your passion and experience live in the laboratory? Taconic Biosciences is seeking a laboratory specialist with experience in microbiology and environmental monitoring to join our dynamic health diagnostics team in Rensselaer, NY.

Location: Taconic Biosciences is seeking a Senior Lab Specialist Environmental Monitoring & Microbiology to join our dedicated lab team. This position will be based at our Rensselaer, NY site and will require occasional travel to our Germantown, NY site. Citizen Sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Pay Range: $24.50 - $27.00 per hour. Exact annual base salary may vary based on several factors. These factors include geographic location, experience, training, education, and local market conditions and could exceed the advertised salary range, however, please note that the upper end of the range is not guaranteed to be offered.

The Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm, with some flexibility available.

What we offer:

Insurance within 30 days or less which includes options for medical, dental, vision, pet insurance and more!
20 days paid time off plus 6 additional holidays and 1 floating holiday
Annual Bonus Program
Work life balance
401(k) plan with up to 4% employer match
Tuition reimbursement
Career advancement opportunities
Commitment to training and providing you with the skills you need for success
All employees receive access to 24/7 telemedicine (including mental health), short- and long-term disability and life insurance

The Role:
If you ever wondered what is living on a door handle or if the hotel hot tub is full of bacteria, this opportunity may be the right one for you! We’re looking for a dedicated, motivated, and creative person who can help us carry out our mission: to create innovative solutions that both progress medical research and maintain the highest standards of laboratory animal care.

The Senior Lab Specialist, Environmental Monitoring & Microbiology will be responsible for routine lot release testing, microbial evaluation of health and quality control samples as well as screening of various raw materials. Responsibilities also include data entry for lot releases and accessioning of test samples. This individual will also be the primary back-up for the Environmental Monitoring technician, whose responsibilities include scheduling, sample collection, sample analysis, microbial identification, data entry, and data review. This position is responsible and accountable for the accuracy of test results.

Core Responsibilities:

Utilizing state-of-the-art microbial growth and identification equipment (anaerobic chamber, MALDI-TOF spectrometer, ATP meter, air sampler) to detect and identify microorganisms in diagnostic and environmental samples
Organizing and prioritizing a variety of samples for microbial identification in a high throughput microbiology laboratory
Ability to work with a high degree of integrity in a team and individually
Ensuring that all microbiology and environmental monitoring results are accurately reported and recorded in appropriate databases
Reviewing all data from the laboratory to ensure accuracy and accountability for accuracy
Assist in maintaining equipment for microbiology and environmental monitoring including maintenance, calibrations, certifications, and/or validations
Write and review Standard Operating Procedures
Ability to follow gowning procedures for entering and exiting animal locations
Assist in assessing workload and order supplies as needed for the microbiology lab
Other job duties as required

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree within a science discipline, or technical experience at an equivalent level
Minimum 1 year laboratory experience
Experience in skilled or technical assignments requiring previous training to perform operations and resolve problems where some guidelines or standards are provided.
Knowledge of good aseptic technique
Strong attention to detail, integrity, organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to learn quickly and adjust to changing priorities
Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing

Physical Demands & Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some use of chemicals, protective measures, and/or work with heavy machinery may be required. Some exposure to occupational hazards which require routine precautions. Some exposure to extremes in temperature, outdoor weather, strong odors, and/or noise levels occurs within the work environment.
Regular physical exertion is required such as climbing, crouching, crawling, and/or lifting items up
to 50 pounds.

Allergen Disclosure:
Due to the nature of the work performed at Taconic, employees may be exposed to allergens in the workplace, even if their positions do not involve the direct handling of animals or animal bedding. While individuals with preexisting allergies and/or asthma may be particularly sensitive to these exposures, anyone can experience a reaction.

About Us:
With a history of over 65 years of excellence, Taconic Biosciences is a global team of the best problem solvers in the industry. We partner with our clients to develop winning research strategies that accelerate the discoveries for prevention and treatment of disease.

Taconic employees all over the world show up every day to deliver the best solutions for our clients while caring for ourselves, each other, and especially our animals. If you are a respectful, compassionate individual with a can-do attitude and a desire to do the right thing, we want you to join us!

Better Together at Taconic
Inclusion, Diversity, Awareness & Action. Taconic Biosciences is taking an active and intentional role in creating a company culture that encourages and appreciates the uniqueness in all people. Being you is what allows you to bring your best self to work. We are committed to ensuring that Taconic is a safe and fair workplace for everyone because it’s our differences that make us stronger. We are better together.

Taconic Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or protected veteran status.

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Senior Lab Specialist Environmental Monitoring & Microbiology