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Research, Technical Assistant

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · $19.23–$26.44 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Have you ever kept live animals or insect cultures going? What did a typical day of care look like?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably maintain Chironomus cultures, since the lab's experiments depend on healthy midge colonies every day.

Tell me about a time you had to follow a set of instructions very exactly. How did you make sure you got it right?

What they are checking: Whether they can follow lab procedures carefully under direct supervision without skipping steps.

What interests you about working in a biology lab that studies how animals develop and evolve?

What they are checking: Whether they have real curiosity about the work, which keeps people careful during repetitive daily tasks.

What would you do

How would you make sure you never miss a feeding or water change, even on a busy day?

What they are checking: Whether they build routines and checklists, because a missed step can wipe out cultures that took months to build.

You notice something looks different about the cultures today, but you're not sure if it matters. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up early about unusual observations instead of assuming it is nothing.

You made a mistake while entering data and only noticed it a week later. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report and fix their own errors honestly, which protects the integrity of the lab's research.

About the work

How comfortable are you working with a microscope and handling very small, delicate samples like embryos?

What they are checking: Whether they have the steady hands and patience that collecting data from midge embryos requires.

How do you record data so that someone else can understand it later?

What they are checking: Whether they keep clear, dated records, since the lab's analysis depends on the data they collect and enter.

What spreadsheet or data entry tools have you used, and how accurate do you tend to be?

What they are checking: Whether they can enter data accurately and help with basic analysis as the posting describes.

What do you know about lab safety rules, and why do you think they matter?

What they are checking: Whether they understand and respect the safety and regulatory rules that come with any research lab job.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department BSD OBA -Schmidt-Ott Lab About the Department The mission of the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy is to explore animal form and function and how they change over the short time frame of an individual’s life history and long-time frame of the history of animal life. It is home to multiple research labs with interests in biological structure, function, development and evolution at the level of the organism. Job Summary The job provides basic technical support activities related to scientific research projects. Complies with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings. Responsibilities • Collects and documents experimental data on gene interactions in Chironomus (midge) embryos. • Maintains Chironomus cultures. • Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. • Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision. • Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree). Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: • Bachelor's degree in field relevant to the research being conducted. Experience: • Undergraduate research experience in molecular developmental biology, microscopy, and bioinformatic data analysis. Preferred Competencies • Working with supervisor in designing and planning experiments. • Desire to conduct a supervised research project. • Problem solving skills. • Attention to detail. • Organizational skills. • Ability to learn new research techniques or methods. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Application Documents • Resume (required) • Cover Letter (optional) • Contact information of at least two references (required) The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Hourly ​ FLSA Status Non-Exempt ​ Pay Range $19.23 - $26.44 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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