Soil & Insect Biodiversity Laboratory Technician
This role directly supports the California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI) initiatives. For more information on our institutional partner, visit calatbi.org .
Operational Overview
Hokan Bio-repository operates as a critical infrastructure node for the long-term preservation and analysis of pedological and entomological specimens. This full-time position provides the technical backbone for the systematic archiving of environmental datasets crucial to regional ecological monitoring.
The technician will execute standardized laboratory protocols to ensure the integrity of the biorepository, with soil processing and archival as the core focus. There is also room to help develop and refine exploratory protocols for insect and soil sampling as the program grows.
Technical Scope
A full-time, permanent laboratory role. Focus areas center on soil processing and archival, with supporting work in macro-invertebrate specimen extraction for the CalATBI database.
Logistics & Scheduling
- location_on West Berkeley, CA
- schedule Full-time, ~40 hours/week
- calendar_today Mon–Fri, flexible schedule & start times
- payments USD $25.00/hr
- volunteer_activism Benefits & standard paid time off
Primary Responsibilities
Soil Processing & Archival
The core of the role. Execution of standardized soil processing and archiving workflows, including weighing, homogenization, and moisture content determination, with precise metadata maintained in the internal LIMS.
Protocol Development & Innovation
Development and refinement of exploratory protocols for insect and soil sampling, including macro-invertebrate extraction via Berlese funnel techniques, to strengthen the biorepository’s methods over time.
Inventory Management
Ongoing management of laboratory inventory and sample archives, alongside maintenance and calibration of instrumentation and sterile handling equipment.
