Recruiting Lab Assistants - Field Season 2024

Dr. Houston Wilson, Dept. Entomology, UC Riverside
Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Wilson Lab Website: http://treecrops.ucr.edu/
Location: Fresno, CA | Annual Salary: $40,570 - $46,959 ($19.43/hr) | Apply By: 2/19/24
Sweepnets
Huskfly
Microscopes
Background
The Wilson Lab is an agroecology lab with an applied entomology research and extension program focused on the development, evaluation and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices for orchards and vineyards. We use approaches from the molecular to the landscape scale, and engage with the intertwined ecological, agronomic, social and political-economic dimensions of California agriculture. While we’re affiliated with the Dept. of Entomology at the University of California – Riverside (UCR), our group is based off-campus at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (near Fresno, CA). Our studies span multiple crops and pests, but we primarily work in orchard and vineyard agroecosystems with an emphasis on biological control, mating disruption, sterile insect technique, habitat diversification and landscape ecology. For current projects and more information, see our lab website (http://treecrops.ucr.edu/).
 
Lab Assistants – Roles and Responsibilities
We’re currently recruiting for 3-4 lab assistants (i.e. Laboratory Assistant 1) to help carry out field and laboratory research projects at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Parlier, CA). We ask for a minimum 1-year commitment with possibility for renewal. This is a dynamic position that involves a combination of field, laboratory and greenhouse work. Lab Assistants will work as a team with the Lab Manager, who will schedule and generally coordinate day-to-day work operations. Lab Assistant duties include a combination of field- and lab-based activities, such as establishment and maintenance of experiments, collection of insect and plant material from field research sites, upkeep of laboratory insect colonies, plant production for lab trials, and sorting/identifying insects and plants from field sampling events. Depending on the time of year, applicants should be prepared to work 1-3 days per week outside at field research sites (i.e. lots of activity under hot, sunny conditions in California’s Central Valley).
 
Qualifications, Salary and Time Commitment
This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) with a start date of May 15, 2024, or earlier. These Lab Assistant positions are open to anyone with a high-school diploma, but we are especially looking to recruit candidates who recently completed a bachelor’s degree (B.S./B.A) in plant science, entomology, environmental science, agronomy, ecology or a related field. Estimated starting annual salary is $40,570 - $46,959 ($19.43/hour) plus benefits. Experience in agricultural entomology, IPM and environmental science is preferred.
 
How to Apply Online
Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as we are actively hiring for the 2024 field season. If you have any questions about the position, feel free to reach out to Dr. Houston Wilson via email (houston.wilson@ucr.edu). The formal job posting and online application can be accessed through the UC Riverside iRecruit Portal (link below, Job ID #32136427)
https://irecruitportal.ucr.edu/irecruit/!Controller?action=jobs_webui.show_page&page=jobs_detail&requisition_id=32136427&profile_id=&module=jobs
 
University of California Commitment to Inclusivity
UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 
Extension
Labwork
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