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The City University of New York

College Laboratory Technician - Biology

The City University of New York · Queens, NY

  • On site
  • Full-time
  • $76,147 / year
  • Queens, NY

Job highlights

  • Support biology coursework in a college laboratory setting.
  • Organize labs, assist students, and manage equipment.
  • Prepare solutions, media, and biological specimens.
  • Ensure lab safety and maintain inventory records.
  • Collaborate with instructors on experiment development.

About the role

College Laboratory Technician Biology

General Duties

Performs highly-skilled laboratory functions and other technical duties in support of coursework. Sets up, maintains, and organizes student laboratories. Assists students with setting up experiments and other learning exercises, and with the use of equipment and materials. Maintains appropriate safety and hygiene standards. Maintains required documentation related to laboratory activities. Manages equipment and materials inventories.

Campus Specific Information

Assists instructors and students setting up and taking down experiments in the General Biology, Ecology, and other laboratories as needed. Obtains and displays materials (such as live organisms, preserved organisms, prepared slides, models, diagrams, charts or diagrams) for laboratory classroom presentation; preparation of solutions and media for classroom experiments; other organizational assistance to the classroom instructor. Works with the course head to develop laboratory exercises, to write protocols for these laboratory exercises, and to test these protocols under conditions of the teaching laboratory. Trains lab instructors and students in the proper use of the teaching labs’ equipment. Routinely checks the teaching labs’ chemical holdings to ensure safety storage in compliance with the FDNY policies and regulations. Controls inventory of supplies and equipment for teaching and research. Includes maintenance of chemical inventory, safe and proper chemical storage, maintenance of Department equipment inventory and the record keeping related to these items, and disposal of unneeded laboratory supplies, materials, and equipment. Serves on Department or College committees. Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma with a minimum of four years' related experience. Additional education may be used to meet the experience requirement: an Associate degree may be substituted for two years experience, and a Bachelor's degree may be substituted for four years experience.

Other Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology
  • At least 4 years of experience in a college environment setting up diverse teaching labs and helping with student experiments in the following areas: General Biology, Microbiology, Ornithology, Invertebrate Zoology, Comparative Anatomy and Ecology
  • Knowledge of invertebrate taxonomy and morphology
  • Experience dissecting multiple invertebrates and vertebrate organisms and organs
  • Experience in the use of aseptic techniques and pipetting
  • Experience in the preparation of microbiological growth media
  • Experience in culturing bacteria safely and long-term maintenance of bacterial cultures
  • Experience in setting up and maintaining marine and freshwater aquaria
  • Extensive experience in the use, and basic maintenance and repair of compound light microscopes and dissecting microscopes
  • Smartboard Technology knowledge and troubleshooting experience
  • Extensive knowledge in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and LMS technology
  • Experience requesting quotes, ordering and receiving of supplies
  • NYCFD C-14 Certificate holder

Compensation

Salary range: $76,147 - $81,259 commensurate with experience.

Benefits

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

How To Apply

If you are viewing this job posting on any website other than CUNYfirst, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Go to cuny.jobs
  2. In the box under "job title/ keyword", enter "College Laboratory Technician - Biology"
  3. Click on "32161"
  4. Click on the "Apply Now" button and follow the instructions.

Please note that the candidates must upload a cover letter describing related qualifications and experience, resume, and the name and contact information of three (3) professional references in any of the following formats: .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.

Please use a simple name for the document that you uploaded, for example: JDoeResume. Documents with long names cannot be parsed by the application system.

Closing Date

05/18/2026

Job Search Category

CUNY Job Posting: Support Staff

Equal Employment Opportunity

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Key skills/competency

  • Laboratory Setup and Maintenance
  • Student Assistance
  • Equipment and Materials Management
  • Safety and Hygiene Standards
  • Documentation and Record Keeping
  • Inventory Management
  • Biology Experimentation
  • Microbiology Techniques
  • Microscope Operation and Maintenance
  • Chemical Handling and Storage

Skills & topics

  • College Laboratory Technician
  • Biology Lab
  • Laboratory Technician
  • CUNY
  • Higher Education
  • Science Technician
  • Biology
  • Laboratory Management
  • Student Support
  • Experiment Setup

How to get hired

  • Tailor your resume: Highlight your Bachelor's degree in Biology and 4+ years of college lab experience, especially in diverse teaching labs.
  • Craft a strong cover letter: Detail your specific qualifications and experience with setting up labs, assisting students, and managing materials.
  • Prepare references: Have the names and contact information of three professional references ready.
  • Follow application instructions: Visit cuny.jobs, search for 'College Laboratory Technician - Biology' (Job ID 32161), and apply through the 'Apply Now' button.
  • Document naming convention: Use simple filenames for your uploaded documents (e.g., JDoeResume) to ensure they can be parsed.

Technical preparation

Master microscope use, maintenance, and repair.,Practice aseptic techniques and safe culturing.,Prepare various biological media and solutions.,Familiarize with lab safety and chemical storage.

Behavioral questions

Describe a time you assisted students with complex experiments.,How do you ensure laboratory safety compliance?,Detail your experience managing lab inventory and supplies.,How do you prioritize tasks when assisting multiple instructors?

Frequently asked questions

What are the minimum qualifications for the College Laboratory Technician Biology role at The City University of New York?
The minimum qualifications include a High School Diploma with at least four years of related experience. An Associate degree can substitute for two years of experience, and a Bachelor's degree can substitute for four years of experience. A Bachelor's degree in Biology is also listed as a preferred qualification, along with at least 4 years of experience in a college lab setting.
How do I apply for the College Laboratory Technician Biology position at The City University of New York?
To apply, visit cuny.jobs, search for 'College Laboratory Technician - Biology' using the keyword/job title box, find Job ID 32161, and click the 'Apply Now' button. You will need to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
What specific biology areas does the College Laboratory Technician need experience in for this CUNY role?
The ideal candidate will have experience in General Biology, Microbiology, Ornithology, Invertebrate Zoology, Comparative Anatomy, and Ecology within a college laboratory environment.
What is the salary range for the College Laboratory Technician Biology position at The City University of New York?
The salary range for this position is $76,147 to $81,259 annually, commensurate with experience.
Does The City University of New York offer benefits for the College Laboratory Technician Biology role?
Yes, CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package, including pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Eligibility for health benefits depends on job title, classification, and work hours for part-time employees.
What kind of equipment maintenance is expected for the College Laboratory Technician Biology job?
Extensive experience in the use, basic maintenance, and repair of compound light microscopes and dissecting microscopes is required. You will also be responsible for the overall maintenance of department equipment inventory.
Are there any specific certifications required for the College Laboratory Technician Biology role?
The job description mentions that being a NYCFD C-14 Certificate holder is considered an asset ('Other Qualifications').
What are the responsibilities regarding chemical handling for the College Laboratory Technician Biology at CUNY?
Responsibilities include routinely checking chemical holdings for safety storage compliance with FDNY policies, maintaining a chemical inventory, ensuring safe and proper chemical storage, and proper disposal of unneeded laboratory supplies and materials.