The Invasive Species lab at the University of Texas at Austin’s Brackenridge Field Laboratory is seeking a technician for a mixed field and laboratory position working on invasive ants. Please see details of job below. Apply at:
https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/171115014480
Salary: Proposed Salary Minimum: $22,884 – Proposed non-published maximum
limit: $26,000
General Position Notes: Job is a mixture of field and laboratory based investigation. Job requires frequent overnight travel to field sites in remote regions of Texas. Camping out will be required at some sites. Work will be outside during Texas summer. Experimental protocols will require a non-standard work schedule. Work will often involve long days and short weeks, working evenings, mornings and/or weekends.
Purpose: Technician will follow the direction of the lead investigator to carry out studies examining the biology and ecology of tawny crazy and natural enemies of this ant, including microsporidian pathogens and phorid fly parasitoids.
Driving a UT vehicle is an essential function of the position.
Essential Functions
* Function 1: Perform field assays of tawny crazy ant, and native ant
abundances and experiments on species interactions and ecology.
* Function 1 Percent Time: 30.00 %
* Function 2: Conduct laboratory experiments investigating the biology of a
microsporidian pathogen and a phorid fly parasitoid of this ant.
* Function 2 Percent Time: 25.00 %
* Function 3: Conducting experiments into the behavioral and chemical
ecology of ant species interactions.
* Function 3 Percent Time: 15.00 %
* Function 4: Staining and counting microsporidian spore loads in infected
ants using compound microscope. Sort, identify and record ants and other arthropods from pitfall traps. Identify ants and phorid flies to species level and other arthropods to order level. Function 4 Percent Time: 20.00 %
* Function 5: Record all data in field datasheets, and enter data into
spreadsheets. Use GPS to set out transects and record features. Store and label specimens in alcohol vials or in pinned collections. Curate materials and maintain records. Clean and organize laboratory space.
* Function 5 Percent Time: 10.00 %
Essential Functions Percent Time Total: 100.00 %
Marginal/Incidental Functions
Maintain vehicles in clean, roadworthy condition. Maintain the workspace in a orderly state. Organize work flow, and maintain activity schedule on multiple projects simultaneously. Collect fire ant colonies. Other related
functions as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors or masters degree in biological science. Strong background and interest in entomology and ecology. Experience in field ecological studies and experiments. Experience with insect identification. Experience with micro-dissection and microscopy. Laboratory experience in chemistry.
Experience with molecular lab procedures. Computer skills including familiarity with spreadsheet manipulation, analysis and graphing in Microsoft Excel. Experience using GPS. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills needed. Ability to perform as a
member of a dynamic research team.
Start Date
On or around January 2, 2018
Duration of Appointment
Appointment will last for 1 year. Provided additional funding can be secured and applicant performs well, appointment may be renewed.