What are the responsibilities and job description for the Molecular Ecology Lab Manager position at Virginia Tech?
Work type: Staff
Senior management: Natural Resources
Department: Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Natural Resources
Job Description
The Rogers Lab (www.haldre.org) in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech is hiring a Molecular Ecology Lab Manager. Based in Blacksburg, VA, this full-time position is ideal for someone with strong molecular and project management skills who wants to support conservation-focused ecological research.
We study how invasive species and vertebrate loss reshape ecological communities. Our molecular ecology research uses DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) to track food webs, seed dispersal, and pollination networks in the Mariana Islands. The lab manager will play a central role in generating high-quality molecular data and supporting a busy, multi-project lab.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field
- Experience with DNA extraction and PCR in a molecular biology research lab
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience preparing libraries for high-throughput sequencing (e.g., Illumina)
- Experience analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) or metabarcoding data
- Experience mentoring or supervising undergraduate researchers
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Hours per week
40
Review Date
10/6/25
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
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Advertised: September 11, 2025
Applications close: