Biology Lab Assistant (Student)

POSITION SUMMARY: Prepare reagents and supplies for biology lab courses and enforce student life policies in the science building. Possible work in the serpentarium, greenhouse, or spider lab.

There are FOUR specializations under the Biology Lab Assistant Position: General Biology Lab Assistant, Serpentarium Animal Technician, Greenhouse Technician, and Spider Lab Technician. When applying, please specify if you have a preferred specialization. 

GENERAL BIOLOGY LAB ASSISTANT:  

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Prepare reagents and supplies for biology laboratory courses and set up/tear down labs
2. Assist students with gathering supplies for experiments as needed
3. Maintain a clean and safe laboratory environment
4. Maintain an inventory of supplies and reagents and request orders as needed
5. Monitor the activities of the science building and enforce student life policies on nights and weekends
6. Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Must be enrolled as a student at Bob Jones University
2. Currently enrolled as a student in the Biology, Premed/pre-dent, or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programs
3. Students in other Natural Sciences or Science Education programs considered
4. Ability to diligently and accurately execute basic laboratory techniques
5. Clearly demonstrate leadership and/or collaborative skills

SERPENTARIUM ANIMAL TECHNICIAN: 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Animal Husbandry: Clean and disinfect enclosures, prepare specialized diets, and monitor life support or heating/lighting (UVB) systems.
2. Health & Records: Track food intake, weight, shedding, and breeding behaviors; log daily data; administer medications prescribed by veterinarians.
3. Conservation & Breeding: Manage egg incubation, monitor humidity and temperature for clutches, and participate in species survival or conservation programs.
4. Public Engagement: Deliver educational keeper talks, lead tours, and handle ambassador reptiles or amphibians safely for guests.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Preferences given to hiring BJU students in the Zoo and Wildlife Biology track, however, other students that have reptile-related backgrounds will be considered. Although the student does not have to have direct experience working with reptiles, they must be comfortable enough to learn and to work into a position where they will directly interact with reptiles. The candidate must demonstrate a positive team-oriented attitude but also be willing to work independently. They must be able to care for the animals in their charge with the highest priority to ensure all animals are taken care of. The candidate must be in good physical shape and be able to lift 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time, work in varying indoor/outdoor climates (especially warm), and abide by strict safety protocol.  For more information, please contact Becky Carlson or Chris Carmichael. 

Greenhouse Tech:

This position provides opportunity to practice plant care and to develop horticultural skills. Lab assistants employed in this position will monitor the condition of plants both inside and outside of the greenhouse, water plants multiple times a week, weed and remove dead plant material, mow and trim exterior plant beds, and do pest surveillance and, with training, treatment for pests. Occasionally, leading tours of the facility, and basic cleaning.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In greenhouse plant Husbandry: watering plants, weeding plant pots, and removing dead plant material, and occasional up-potting.
2. Passion fruit arbor husbandry: weeding, mowing, trimming, and occasionally watering.
3. Biology tea garden husbandry: weeding, mowing, trimming, mulching, and occasionally watering.
4. Pest monitoring and management: both inside and outside of the greenhouse, checking for pests, and with training treating infested plants.
5. Facility monitoring: situational awareness of facility functioning and plant general health (Is the water cooler working? Are there any broken windows? Is it too cold in the greenhouse? Do the plants look healthy?).
6. Occasionally leading tours of the greenhouse.
7. Occasional greenhouse cleaning; pressure washing algae off the floor in front of the water wall, sweeping leaves and debris from the floor, pruning plants.
8. Occasionally fertilizing plants: with training, applying fertilizer to potted and in ground plants.

Spider Lab Technician:

This position provides experience caring for arachnids. Mostly this involves feeding and watering arachnids as well as maintaining the crickets for the afore mentioned purpose. It can also include tarantula acclimation to being held, and cleaning of enclosures. Occasionally, leading tours of the facility, and basic cleaning.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Spider Husbandry: feeding and watering arachnids. Cleaning cages, removing molts, and removing uneaten food.
2. Feeder insect husbandry: feeding and water feeder insects, monthly cleaning of feeder insect cage. Unpacking new orders of feeder insects.
3. Facility monitoring: situational awareness of facility functioning and spider general health (Is the AC working? Is the ceiling leaking? Are spiders present and in good health?).
4. Occasional headhouse duties: sweeping floors.
5. Occasionally leading tours of the spider lab.
6. Optionally: Spider social acclimatization (getting spiders used to being held).