Research Technician Position Annoucement

Interested in getting hands-on experience with wildlife? or working on zoonotic disease?

Two positions are available for hourly technicians in the VEL. These positions offer the opportunity to participate in or manage an interesting variety of lab- based and field-based projects. Primary responsibilities include day-to-day lab management, assisting graduate students with research projects, maintaining lab equipment, ordering supplies, managing undergraduate students, and implementing and trouble-shooting protocols. Candidates will be expected to carry out research projects independently and as part of a team.

Minimum qualifications include enrollment in a degree program in biology, animal science, entomology, wildlife biology or a related field, have good time management and organizational skills, and able to work long hours in the field in hot conditions in the summer, and cold in the winter. Applicants must be able to work with and around biting flies and will be in situations exposed to ticks and wildlife. Potential projects may include trapping white-footed mice, trapping and testing water fowl, collecting flies and parasitoids, colony maintenance of flies and parasitoids, and other projects as they arise. Hours are somewhat flexible may include weekends, evenings, or overnight depending on the project and the schedule of the applicant. Experience working with insects or ticks is desirable, but not essential. Special consideration given to applicants with molecular experience (e.g., RNA and DNA extraction, qPCR, RNAseq library preparation, enzyme activity assays) and/or interests in zoonotic disease and wildlife.

Hourly salary is estimated at $12.00/hr. This is a full-time position in the summer (12 weeks) and part time during the school year (40 weeks) with a minimum commitment of 1 year.  If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Erika Machtinger (etm10@psu.edu).