Molecular Lab Coordinator X Plant Computational Genomics Lab
Appointment: Full-time, on-site; initially offered as a temporary position with planned transition to a staffrole within six months
Compensation: $27V$32/hr, commensurate with experience
Description: The Plant Computational Genomics (PCG) Lab at the University of Connecticut (Storrs campus) seeks a Molecular Lab Coordinator to support an interdisciplinary research program focused on biodiversity and conservation genomics. The coordinator will manage daily laboratory operations, develop scalable sample-tracking infrastructure, and lead high-throughput sequencing efforts across diverse organisms, with a particular emphasis on plants and other recalcitrant sample types.
The position coordinates high throughput sample extraction, library prep, and sequencing, as well as the associated data infrastructure. It is perfect for someone who is highly organized, communicates clearly across technical and non-technical audiences, and values sample provenance, reproducibility, and data integrity.
Responsibilities
Design, document, and maintain SOPs for high-throughput sample processing, including barcoded sample tracking (e.g., SmartSheet) from accessioning through sequencing and downstream analysis.
Oversee inventory management, reagent ordering, equipment maintenance, and coordination with core facilities, including the Center for Genome Innovation (CGI).
Implement and enforce laboratory biosafety protocols and institutional compliance standards.
Extract DNA and RNA from diverse and challenging samples, including plant tissues with high polysaccharide, polyphenol, or secondary-metabolite content (e.g., CTAB-based protocols and modifications for recalcitrant tissue), animal samples, and environmental samples.
Prepare and optimize sequencing libraries for short-read (Illumina) and long-read (Oxford Nanopore, PacBio HiFi) platforms, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS), reduced-representation approaches such as ddRAD, RNA-seq, and amplicon workflows.
Troubleshoot extraction and library preparation across taxa with variable quality.
Ensure metadata standards and sample identifiers propagate cleanly from bench through sequencing runs to downstream analysis, supporting reproducibility and downstream data sharing.
Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists in laboratory techniques, safety, and documentation practices.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in molecular biology, genomics, plant biology, or a related field.
Two or more years of molecular laboratory experience beyond coursework.
Demonstrated experience with high-throughput sequencing workflows, including DNA/RNA extraction and library preparation.
Hands-on experience with Illumina and at least one long-read platform (Oxford Nanopore and/or PacBio).
Experience with barcoded samples and high-throughput sample tracking systems.
Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail in managing complex, parallel workflows.
Demonstrated commitment to laboratory documentation, reproducibility, and data integrity.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced academic environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Three or more years of molecular laboratory experience beyond coursework.
Experience extracting nucleic acids from plant tissues, particularly recalcitrant or non-model species (CTAB/modified CTAB or column-based protocols optimized for high-polysaccharide or polyphenolic samples).
Experience with sequencing diverse, non-model organisms.
Experience with Hi-C library preparation and related chromosome conformation capture methods.
Familiarity with one or more additional techniques relevant to the lab's research:
Single-cell sequencing (e.g., 10x Genomics).
Methylation profiling (bisulfite sequencing or long-read methylation calling).
Familiarity with liquid-handling automation platforms
Experience training users across a range of expertise levels.
Environment: The successful candidate will join a collaborative research environment associated with the Institute for Systems Genomics and closely aligned with the Center for Genome Innovation. The PCG Lab integrates molecular and computational approaches to address conservation genomics questions.
Please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references to: Jill Wegrzyn (jill.wegrzyn@uconn.edu). Ideal start date between July 1st and August 1st.

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