About the company

Fast-track your career with the Marlee Talent Pool. We're not just matching you with your ideal roles but unlocking your long-term career potential. Marlee goes above and beyond by identifying key strengths for your CV, helping you discover a career direction you might not have considered where you can truly thrive, and guiding you to develop those essential soft human skills that close gaps in your resume.

Marlee's innovative approach then places you in teams where you'll flourish. Using cutting-edge motivational science, we connect you with roles in teams and within organizations that make your heart sing and help our partners build their dream teams.
 

About the role

As a Molecular Laboratory Technician, you'll be at the forefront of insect genomics research, working with a collection of 10+ million specimens. Your expertise will be crucial in extracting and analyzing DNA from historical samples, supporting phylogenetic studies, taxonomic revisions, and species identifications. You'll collaborate with a diverse team of researchers, taxonomists, and bioinformaticians, contributing to multidisciplinary projects that push the boundaries of our understanding of insect biodiversity. 
 

Key responsibilities: 

• Support insect systematics research and curation through molecular lab work involving protocol development, troubleshooting, DNA extraction, and library preparation for sequencing
• Collection genomics, dealing with historical DNA. DNA sequences support phylogenetic studies, taxonomic revisions, species identifications, and collection curation
• Contributing to multi-disciplinary teams, developing and communicating ideas, presenting work, co-authoring publications, and participating in grant applications.
• Operate advanced equipment such as robotic platforms, multi-channel pipettes, and MinION sequencers 
• Maintain meticulous records using electronic lab notebooks and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) 
• Train and mentor less experienced users in laboratory techniques and safety procedures
• Perform DNA/RNA extractions, DNA barcoding, and build whole genome sequencing libraries
• Conduct hybrid target capture reactions and manage confidential projects 
• Manage lab orders and expenses

What we're looking for: 

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in molecular genomics or molecular biology 
• Practical expertise in current molecular genetics techniques, including Illumina library preparation 
• Experience in troubleshooting laboratory protocols and operating complex technical equipment 
• Proven ability to process large numbers of samples reliably and efficiently 
• Strong teamwork skills balanced with the ability to work independently 
• Experience with historical DNA lab work and hybrid target capture (desirable) 
• Proficiency in lab automation and Oxford Nanopore technology (desirable) 
• Familiarity with LIMS/ELN systems and basic bioinformatics/data analysis (desirable)