Lab Research Assistant
Source: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/jobs/msu-department-of-plant-soil-and-microbial-sciences-lab-research-assistant/ Parent: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/
MSU Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences
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Lab Research Assistant
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Recruitment began on March 16, 2026
and the job listing Expires on April 16, 2026
On-Campus Jobs
We are seeking motivated undergraduate students to join our research team starting mid-April 2026. Initial work will be 10–15 hours per week, with the option to increase to up to 30 hours per week after the end of the Spring semester. Positions may extend through the 2026–2027 academic year based on interest and performance.
Position Overview
This role involves hands-on participation in a variety of research and laboratory support activities. Duties will evolve over time as training progresses and projects ramp up.
Early Spring Responsibilities
- Assisting with set-up and testing of new laboratory equipment
- General laboratory cleaning and organization
Mid-Spring & Summer Responsibilities
Students will have opportunities also to work in:
- Field and greenhouse experiment setup and maintenance
- Processing seed, soil, and plant samples
- Supporting graduate students with laboratory tasks, including:
- Microbial cultivation
- DNA extraction
- PCR and other molecular biology procedures
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and positive lab environment by following established safety and housekeeping guidelines
Essential Skills & Qualities
We are looking for students who bring:
- A positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Flexibility in taking on a variety of tasks
- Comfort doing both less glamorous tasks (e.g., grinding plant tissue) and more exciting ones (e.g., counting microbial colonies)
- Reliability, attention to detail, and curiosity about plant, soil, and microbial sciences
Prior lab or field experience is helpful, but not required—we are happy to train the right students.
Who Should Apply
We welcome:
- First- and second-year students looking to engage in research for 1–3 years, and
- Senior students who want hands-on experience before heading to graduate school, industry, or other career paths
If you are enthusiastic about learning, enjoy working in a supportive lab environment, and are looking for meaningful research experience, we’d be excited to work with you.