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This position has closed. University of Chicago removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Research Technical Assistant

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

Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

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

Tell me about a time you made a mistake that affected someone else's experiment.

What they are checking: Whether they raise it immediately, which is the only thing that keeps data trustworthy.

What interests you about virology specifically?

What they are checking: Whether they looked at what this lab does or applied to every opening in the department.

What would you do

You suspect a cell culture is contaminated. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act and tell people, since contamination spreads through a whole lab.

How do you plan a day with several protocols that have different timings?

What they are checking: Practical scheduling, which is most of what makes bench support productive.

About the work

Which of these can you do unsupervised: mammalian cell culture, PCR, molecular cloning, DNA and RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis?

What they are checking: An honest inventory against the posting's list rather than a claim to all of it.

What is your experience working under BSL-2 conditions?

What they are checking: The posting requires it, and biosafety practice is not something to learn by guessing.

Walk me through preparing media and reagents so a colleague can trust them.

What they are checking: Routine work that quietly ruins experiments when done carelessly.

How do you keep a lab notebook so someone else could repeat your work?

What they are checking: Documentation, which the posting names in both notebooks and digital databases.

How do you manage inventory so the lab does not run out mid-experiment?

What they are checking: A named responsibility that decides whether other people's work stops.

How would you prepare a summary of results for a lab meeting?

What they are checking: The posting asks for this, and it is a step beyond pure bench work.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Chicago from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department BSD BMD - Yang Lab About the Department The University of Chicago is a global leader in biomedical research and offers unique opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration. The Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, and the University of Chicago Medical Center are all contained within one compact campus. The University and the Comprehensive Cancer Center operate a number of state-of-the-art core facilities including microscopic facility, genome sequencing facility, animal facility, Biostatistics Laboratory, Human Tissue Resource Center, cancer biobank, the Genomic Data Commons (https://gdc-portal.nci.nih.gov/) and many others. Job Summary The Yang Lab is seeking a self-motivated individual with strong background of molecular biology. The main goal of the lab is to explore the functional consequences of somatic alterations in cancer patients and to identify driver alterations. This position is expected to last for one year. Responsibilities • This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction. • Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision. • Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. • Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. • 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: • BS in biology or related field. Experience: • Familiar with molecular biology and cell biology assays, such as cell culture, DNA/RNA/protein purification, PCR, western blot, etc. Preferred Competencies • Excellent communication skills. Application Documents • Resume/CV (required) • Cover Letter (preferred) 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 40 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.