Research Assistant III

New Mexico State University•Las Cruces, NM

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Biology is seeking applicants for a Research Assistant III. This position involves conducting statewide field surveillance for mosquitoes and other arthropods of medical and veterinary importance, deploying and maintaining surveillance equipment, collecting and processing specimens, and performing laboratory procedures for pathogen detection. The role also includes data management, analysis, and reporting, as well as ensuring adherence to safety protocols and providing technical assistance to others.

Requirements

Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Nice To Haves

MS in a biology-related field
Experience in vector identification and surveillance
Academic knowledge of virology and research ethics
Facility in molecular biology and statistical analysis

Responsibilities

Conducts statewide field surveillance for mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary importance using established collection methods and surveillance protocols.
Deploys, operates, retrieves, cleans, and maintains mosquito traps and other vector surveillance equipment at designated field sites throughout New Mexico.
Collects, labels, preserves, transports, and processes mosquito and other arthropod specimens in accordance with established protocols and chain-of-custody procedures.
Records accurate field data, including collection location, date, trapping method, environmental conditions, specimen information, and other relevant surveillance variables.
Identifies mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors to appropriate taxonomic levels using morphological identification keys, microscopy, and established identification procedures.
Sorts, counts, and prepares mosquito specimens and pools for laboratory testing and long-term storage.
Performs routine laboratory procedures for detection of vector-borne viruses and other pathogens, including specimen homogenization, nucleic acid extraction, PCR and RT-PCR, and related molecular diagnostic techniques.
Prepares laboratory reagents, solutions, controls, specimens, and other materials required for vector and pathogen testing.
Operates, calibrates, cleans, and performs routine maintenance of laboratory and field equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer specifications.
Follows established quality-assurance and quality-control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of field, laboratory, and surveillance data.
Maintains complete and accurate records of specimens, laboratory procedures, test results, equipment use, and other research and surveillance activities.
Enters, reviews, validates, and maintains vector surveillance and laboratory testing data in electronic databases and other data-management systems.
Assists with organization, analysis, interpretation, and visualization of surveillance data, including preparation of tables, figures, maps, and summaries of vector abundance, distribution, seasonality, and pathogen detection.
Compiles field and laboratory results and assists with preparation of surveillance reports, technical reports, research presentations, manuscripts, posters, and other scientific communications.
Communicates surveillance findings, unusual observations, positive pathogen detections, data-quality concerns, and technical problems to supervisory research personnel.
Maintains inventories of field and laboratory supplies and assists with ordering, receiving, organizing, and maintaining materials required for surveillance activities.
Follows established laboratory safety, biosafety, chemical safety, biological waste disposal, and field safety procedures and maintains required safety documentation.
Assists with implementation of standardized surveillance protocols across multiple collection locations to promote consistency and comparability of statewide surveillance data.
Coordinates field schedules, specimen processing, laboratory testing, and data entry activities to support timely completion of surveillance objectives.
Provides technical assistance and instruction to student employees, temporary personnel, collaborators, and other individuals participating in established vector surveillance activities, as assigned.
Travels to surveillance locations throughout New Mexico and performs fieldwork under variable environmental and weather conditions, including activities that may occur outside normal working hours when required by surveillance protocols.
Maintains current knowledge of established methods and procedures relevant to mosquito surveillance, vector identification, molecular diagnostics, vector biology, and vector-borne disease surveillance.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned in support of research and statewide vector and vector-borne virus surveillance activities.