Graduate Assistantships

BMFS Graduate Assistantships are part-time positions that involve students in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of laboratories and research activities in the program.  Some positions are paid and others are unpaid but serve as a capstone activity for specialized track completion.

Types of BMFS Graduate Assistantships:

Forensic Biology Teaching Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Performing a run-through of each lab experiment in advance
  • Setting up lab stations each week on morning of lab class
  • Preparing chemicals and unknown samples
  • Placing and keeping track of orders for chemicals and equipment
  • Maintaining lab organization and cleanliness

Available to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 704

Criminalistics Research Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Preparing mock evidence/crime scenes and hands-on exercises for GMS FS 701, 706, 800 and 840
  • Assisting students during lab exercises as needed
  • Maintaining lab organization and cleanliness
  • Researching new methods/techniques that can be incorporated into future exercises
  • Accessioning and preserving donated biological samples
  • Calibrating laboratory equipment and ordering supplies
  • Chemical and biohazards waste management

Available to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 701

Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Cleaning glassware and maintaining the cleanliness of the laboratory 
  • Preparing solutions and ordering supplies
  • Assisting with preparation of lab exercises prior to class
  • Assisting students with data processing

Available to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 708

Multimedia Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Video recording of mock testimony exercises
  • Photography of program events
  • Assisting with designing and editing online or printed material

Available to current students who have expertise in photography, videography and/or imaging software

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Organizing chemicals/supplies/equipment pertaining to the course
  • Preparing chemicals and/or specific bloodstain patterns when needed
  • Setting up each experiment prior to class
  • Uploading digital photos from the lab experiments each day

Available to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 713

Forensic Chemistry Research Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Maintaining inventory and ordering the laboratory supplies
  • Calibrating, carrying out maintenance and coordinating instrument service
  • Assisting first year students with with training and method development for their research

Available to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 703

DNA Laboratory Assistant

Typical duties include:

  • Aiding in general laboratory maintenance
  • Solution preparation
  • QC of 7500 RT-PCR instrumentation, 9700 thermal-cycler, inventory maintenance, etc.

Available to to current students who have successfully completed GMS FS 721