RantsCounterRants:  Job hunting heebie-jeebies…

Some of you know I’m job hunting; I run across a bunch of weird stuff during my job search, almost like the Google referrals we Salon Bloggers get every day. 

Ran into this one this morning, and I have to ask:

Does anything about this “help wanted” posting sound odd to you, or make you a little, hmm, concerned?

Working as a contract employee at XXXXX as a Scientist Level
III. Biochemistry background needed with previous pharmaceutical
experience. Familiar with invitro assay techniques and cell
culture. Statistical analysis using graphic programs and Excel.
Knowledge of radio-ligand and binding techniques. Positions are
long term for 1 year.

Job Title: Mammalian Cell Culture Scientist
Primary Skills: Binding Techniques; Assay Development;
Cultures
Job Industry: Biotech/Pharmaceutical
Vacancies: 1
 Job Country: US
Salary: $15/HOURLY to $20/HOURLY
Hours per Week: 40
Start Date: ASAP
Job Duration: 9 - 12 months
Degree Type: BS
Degree Area: Biology or Chemistry
Experience Minimum: 5 Years

Candidates responding to this posting must currently possess the
eligibility to work in the United States.

Maybe it’s just me…but the following questions come to mind:

§         Why would a Fortune 100 company use a temporary contract person in this kind of role?

§         Why is the pay so incredibly stinky?

§         Is this an attempt to pull in a foreign national?

In fairness, I should point out this job is located in a town with an exceptionally large student population.  But would you give a student a job in Mammalian Cell Culture to a student?

Something about this gives me the heebie-jeebies, but I can’t put my finger on it.  I'm admittedly not an expert in this area, but still...

This sounds a lot like skills you’d need in a cloning operation.

1:36:47 PM    comment []