Research Technician I
About The Position
A Research Technician, under general supervision is sought to work on a project supporting the transition to the Black Pupae Strain (BPS) of the Mexican fruit flies by the USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Science and Technology. The project will develop new and standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for closed colony rearing to support PPQ field operations and improve the current cage design used by domestic US field operations to support BPS flies. The successful candidate will conduct research trials, collect vital data, and contribute to the development of robust quality control measures. The funding is for one year appointment, with possibility of extension. Position is located in Weslaco, TX.
Requirements
- Education – High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience – Two years of related experience.
- Ability to – Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
- Licensing / Professional Certification – None.
- Physical Requirements – Ability to lift moderately heavy objects. Ability to exert heavy force.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends, not to exceed 40 hrs. in a work week.
- All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain closed colony BPS rearing within a containment laboratory stetting
- Oversee egg collection, larval tray seeding, and general insect husbandry practices.
- Ensure strict adherence to containment protocol and biosecurity measures.
- Monitor and record BPS quality control metrics for larvae and pupae at each generation
- Collect data to compare rearing progression timelines and evaluate the effectiveness of checkpoint systems against conventional rearing protocols
- Performs other duties as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
