Job Description

Posting Number

Internal Recruitment

Working Title

Anticipated Hiring Range

Work Schedule

Job Location

Department

About the Department

Essential Job Duties

• Coordinate with lab members to ensure cleanliness and maintain stock levels of supplies.
• Order and manage inventory of experimental supplies.

• Conduct biological studies under the supervisor’s direction, focusing on rearing biological control agents, sterile insect release, and other related experiments (e.g., longevity, fecundity, nutritional needs, and environmental tolerance).
• Collect data through methods such as counts, microscopic examinations, dissections, and measurements.
• Input data into computer systems, generate summary statistics (mean, median, range, standard deviation), and present findings through graphs and tables.

• Perform field studies on insect population dynamics and ecology, including trapping, pest monitoring, parasitization rates, (sterile) insect mating, dispersal, and impact assessments.
• Prepare and secure field sites by coordinating with growers, scheduling ground preparation, planting, watering, and setting up necessary equipment (e.g., field cages, temperature data pods).
• Sort and identify natural enemy species recovered from field samples, and enter data into computer databases, producing summary statistics.

• Conduct field and laboratory studies to develop, refine, and optimize insect rearing, shipping, and releasing procedures.
• Maintain and monitor supplies, equipment, and a working inventory, ensuring all are in proper working order.
• Ensure that insects are available and preconditioned for experiments, and develop detailed instructions for rearing procedures.

• Schedule and organize events and personnel to execute studies as designed by program leaders and project scientists.
• Oversee field and laboratory work to ensure compliance with procedures and proper training of personnel in data collection, insect identification, data entry, and rearing techniques.

• The role involves laboratory work with chemicals, often requiring the use of hoods and environmental chambers.
• Fieldwork may involve exposure to adverse weather conditions (rain, heat, humidity, wind), muddy or pesticide-treated fields, biting arthropods, and spiny vegetation.
• The incumbent may occasionally be required to wear protective clothing or gear, such as suits, masks, lab coats, boots, goggles, or gloves, to mitigate risks.

• While procedural manuals, reference materials, scientific literature, standard operating procedures, and professional staff are available for guidance, the incumbent must exercise independent judgment in following established guidelines, solving conventional problems, and redirecting efforts to ensure accurate and reliable data.

Other Responsibilities

Minimum Education and Experience

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience, or substantiative relevant independent experience and education. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Other Required Qualifications

• Design and implement experiments in conjunction with the existing team of collaborators.
• Ability to collect, analyze and communicate data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biology, Entomology, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Soil Sciences, or similar discipline with demonstrated management of experimental insect colonies and/or plant collections.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Valid NC Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required

Job Open Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Position Number

Position Type

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Appointment

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Department ID

AA/EEO

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