Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01042

Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience

Division: Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering

Job classification: CASUAL

Posting type: Open

Categories: Program Management

****Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University of Hawai’i may apply for Casual Hire appointments, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits provided to regular Board of Regents or Civil Service employees. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.****

***READVERTISEMENT***

Title: (Casual Hire) Scientific Support Officer - Agricultural Biosecurity Summer Research Program

Position Number: Casual Hire
Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE)
Location: University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii
Date Posted: August 27, 2026
Closing Date: August 27, 2026, 11:59 PM HST
Salary: $27.00 – $30.00/hour
Schedule: Up to 20 hours/week
Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: Appointment Period September 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026. This position is subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by August 27, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.

The Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, under the USDA NextGEN Pacific-Continental Network of Biosecurity Professionals (PaCON), is seeking a highly motivated Scientific Support Officer to assist with coordinating and implementing undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) research and workforce development program focused on agricultural biosecurity, genomics, molecular biology, and applied biotechnology.

This position will support hands-on research training, laboratory workshops, participant coordination, and administrative operations for biosecurity-focused educational and workforce development initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, graduate student mentors, and program participants from Hawaii and partner institutions across the Pacific and mainland United States.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in agricultural biosecurity, molecular diagnostics, genomics, biotechnology education, and scientific workforce development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide scientific and administrative support for summer research and training workshops focused on agricultural biosecurity and biotechnology.
2. Assist in the preparation, organization, and coordination of laboratory and field-based training activities involving molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics applications.
3. Support workshop logistics, participant onboarding, scheduling, and documentation.
4. Assist with the preparation and maintenance of laboratory materials, consumables, instructional resources, and scientific equipment.
5. Process and maintain records, reports, forms, participant data, and training documentation associated with program activities.
6. Support undergraduate and graduate student participants during hands-on training exercises and research activities.
7. Assist with the implementation of biosafety, laboratory safety, and research compliance procedures.
8. Participate in program outreach, educational activities, and professional development events as needed.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the summer research and workforce development program.
10. Ability to work flexible hours, Monday through Friday, not to exceed 30 hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a post-baccalaureate degree in agriculture, molecular biosciences, microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, biological sciences, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
2. Functional knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques related to agricultural biosecurity, molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, biotechnology, or research support activities.
3. Functional knowledge of molecular biology, genomic technologies, DNA-based diagnostics, or bioinformatics applications relevant to agricultural or biological sciences.
4. Demonstrated ability to recognize and resolve operational and technical issues commonly encountered in laboratory, workshop, or research-training environments.
5. Demonstrated ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, prepare reports and documentation, and communicate effectively with diverse groups.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, students, staff, partner institutions, and external collaborators.
7. Demonstrated proficiency in the use of personal computers and common software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and/or Google Workspace applications.
8. Ability to work effectively in both independent and team-based environments.

Desired Qualifications:

1. Previous experience supporting laboratory instruction, research training programs, workshops, or scientific outreach activities.
2. Experience with molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing workflows, or microbial culture techniques.
3. Experience working with undergraduate or graduate student training programs.
4. Familiarity with laboratory safety, biosafety, or agricultural biosecurity practices.
5. Interest in scientific workforce development, genomics education, or applied agricultural research.

TO APPLYClick in the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2. Curriculum vitae (CV);
3. Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
4. Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire). Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Inquiries Dr. Jon-Paul (JP) Bingham, jbingham@hawaii.edu

Examples of duties

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/