Laboratory Technician (NIH)

Job title: Laboratory Technician (NIH)

About the Role The Laboratory Technician will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the NIH. The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services, with a focus on maintaining, repairing, installing, and operating scientific instruments and lab equipment at RML-Hamilton, MT.

What You'll Do

• Perform maintenance and repair of RML research services equipment, including scheduling, performing, and documenting maintenance, with planning, implementation, and quality management.
• Manage and service instruments such as high performance liquid chromatography systems, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, spectrophotometers, tissue processors, microscopes, electronic pipettes, liquid scintillation counters, lyophilizers, incubators, cell shakers, balances, and x-ray film processors.
• Maintain and repair larger equipment (steam sterilizers, glasswashers, cage washers, drying ovens, bottle washers, water chlorinators) to ensure efficient operation.
• Collaborate with the RML team, veterinary staff, histopathologists, and animal care workers to manage complex BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 operations.
• Provide instructions, information, and advisory services concerning operation, maintenance, and use of equipment; assist in developing or revising maintenance procedures as needed.
• Provide specialized technical support to ensure devices and research equipment are installed, maintained, certified, and kept in reliable operation.
• Advise management on testing, procurement, operation, repair, and disposition of equipment; assist maintenance personnel with tools needed for repairs.
• Assist the Federal Task Leader with strategies for new equipment acquisitions, planning, and implementation.
• Conduct pre-purchase evaluations and communicate with research staff to provide assistance and in-service training in setup, calibration, and application of equipment.
• Conduct studies to establish standardized maintenance procedures, shop layouts, and repair operations.
• Interpret and apply blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, air flow balance sheets, technical manuals, and other specifications.
• Provide technical support for accident/incident investigations through onsite surveys, researching tech orders, and interviewing maintenance personnel.
• Develop and maintain master equipment lists with procurement lead times and forecasted receipt/installation timelines in coordination with the project schedule.
• Evaluate and develop parts lists and procurement data in compliance with guidelines, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Manage the TMDE (Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment) program by maintaining calibration schedules and ensuring TMDE availability for scientific instrument services.
• Travel requirements: 0-10%.

What We're Looking For

• B.S. in a related discipline.
• Two (2) years of experience working with scientific equipment.
• Knowledge of maintenance management policies and practices (remedial maintenance, scheduled services, equipment classification, technical inspections, equipment accountability).
• Knowledge of electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics and associated terminology to identify and repair instrument/equipment failures.
• Knowledge of interfacing with scientific instrumentation/equipment systems and computer control systems.
• Knowledge of scientific/research instrumentation applications, biophysical measurements, anatomy/physiology, and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of the operation and application of standard and special-purpose Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment for troubleshooting and repair.
• Functional knowledge of safety codes and standards from regulatory bodies (e.g., JC, NFPA, FDA, NRC, AAMI).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to document repairs, preventive maintenance, and calibration services.
• Ability to communicate with staff to provide assistance and document hazard alerts.