Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Collins lab is an interdisciplinary group of researchers studying the role of physical principles for living systems, with a focus on neuronal control of behavior and neurotoxicology. We use techniques from physics, engineering, and computer science and combine them with molecular biology methods to investigate how structure and function control (neuro-)development, regeneration, and physiology. The Collins lab thrives on teamwork and welcomes diverse candidates to join us.

The opportunity:

The Collins lab seeks to hire a highly motivated laboratory Molecular Screening Assistant to work in a research lab dedicated to studying how the brain controls behavior, the impact of environmental chemicals and drugs on behavior, and the testing of new compounds for industry and medicine using freshwater planarians.

Essential Responsibilities  

Level I

• Set up and execute screening experiments and analyze data using code provided (45%)
• Use molecular biology tools and imaging to characterize genes of interest (40%)
•  Prepare media and chemical stocks related to planarian husbandry and standard laboratory procedures and help with planarian maintenance (10%)
• Update and maintain laboratory protocols and and maintain equipment in good working order and assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste according to guidelines (5%)
• Assist with the supervision and training of student workers (5%)

Level II

• Set up and execute screening experiments and analyze data using code provided (45%)
• Use molecular biology tools to characterize genes of interest (35%)
• Prepare media and chemical stocks related to planarian husbandry and standard laboratory procedures and help with planarian maintenance (5%)
• Update and maintain laboratory protocols and and maintain equipment in good working order and assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste according to guidelines (5%)
• Supervision and training of student workers, including providing lab safety training (10%)

Level III

• Set up and execute screening experiments and analyze data using code provided (45%)
• Use molecular biology tools to characterize genes of interest (25%)
• Prepare media and chemical stocks related to planarian husbandry and standard laboratory procedures and help with planarian maintenance (5%)
• Develop, update, and maintain laboratory protocols and organize laboratory inventory of experimental samples and supplies, assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. (5%)
• Assist with the organization of laboratory operations and lab safety procedures. This includes the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste and the inventory, handling, and disposal of regulated substances according to guidelines (5%)
• Supervision and training of student workers, including providing lab safety training (10%)
• Assist with analysis and interpretation of research data and scientific communication of the project to professional audiences  (5%)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• For levels II+III only,1-4 student assistants per semester.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

Level I

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related field
• Work experience with biological systems: cell culture, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or similar field
• Experience working with computers and electronic equipment
• Experience with word processing software and digital spreadsheets
• Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g. qRT-PCR, molecular cloning, immunohistochemistry, insitu hybridization)
• Teamwork experience
• Experience executing procedures and protocols according to set guidelines

Additional qualifications for Level II

• Bachelor's degree in biology or related field
• Minimum 3 years working experience in a similar position to Level I
• Experience mentoring junior staff members or students
• Work experience with biological systems: cell culture, molecular biology or microbiology,  biochemistry, or similar field
• Experience working with computers and electronic equipment
• Experience handling / making chemical solutions
• Experience with lab safety procedures
• Experience with microscopy

Additional qualifications for Level III

• Minimum 8 years working experience in a similar position to Level I or 3 years of experience in Level II
• Experience maintaining equipment
• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience with lab safety procedures
• Experience training others in laboratory safety and protocols
• Experience with programming

Preferred Qualifications

Level I

• Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, microbiology, or biochemistry
• Experience pipetting small volumes
• Experience working with molecular biology equipment
• Experience handling / making chemical solutions
• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience with lab safety procedures
• Experience working with NCBI Blast and primer design
• Experience with microscopy

Level II

• Experience developing Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience training others in laboratory safety and protocols
• Experience maintaining equipment

Level III

• Master's degree in biology or related field
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Experience with scientific writing and presentations
• Experience with microscopy

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is Level I $21.00-$26.00, Level II $26.00-$28.00, and Level III $28.00-$31.00 per hour, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.