Research Technologist

Penn State University•University Park, IL

1d•$44,628 - $64,668•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Entomology at Penn State seeks to hire a Research Technologist to oversee multi-site research experiments testing the efficacy of monitoring and management techniques for an invasive pest species. The successful candidate will be expected to engage with multiple external stakeholders (including growers, pesticide manufacturers, park managers, business, etc.) to identify sites at risk of experiencing the invasive pests where research experiments can be conducted; to elicit these stakeholders to become external cooperators upon whose properties experiments can be conducted; and to serve as the point of contact to coordinate research activities with these cooperators throughout the course of the research study at that site. The successful candidate will: Use experience with IPM and expertise as a licensed pesticide applicator to provide guidance to identify, select, and apply (or advise growers in their application of) pesticides being tested in research efficacy trials, and ensure their appropriateness with existing IPM programs and that they are used in compliance with Pennsylvania and other partnering states’ legal restrictions, and any industry restrictions. Help design, review, and revise procedures involved with execution of research experiments conducted by project collaborators (i.e., grant funded partner universities in neighboring states and USDA, industry specialists, etc.) to ensure standardization of all aspects of a study’s execution across all replicated sites. Serve a liaison with collaborators to oversee data collection, management, and reporting, and will trouble-shoot methods and findings to ensure project objectives are achieved. Contribute to writing papers, manuscripts, publications, and factsheets, and will present project findings to meetings of stakeholders and at other professional meetings.

Requirements

Driver's license
Pennsylvania pesticide applicator license
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience
Pesticide Applicator License, category 6 and 7
Authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing large field-based research projects
Experience in conducting research and management on invasive pest species, particularly the spotted lanternfly

Responsibilities

Oversee multi-site research experiments testing the efficacy of monitoring and management techniques for an invasive pest species.
Engage with multiple external stakeholders (including growers, pesticide manufacturers, park managers, business, etc.) to identify sites at risk of experiencing the invasive pests where research experiments can be conducted.
Elicit stakeholders to become external cooperators upon whose properties experiments can be conducted.
Serve as the point of contact to coordinate research activities with cooperators throughout the course of the research study at that site.
Use experience with IPM and expertise as a licensed pesticide applicator to provide guidance to identify, select, and apply (or advise growers in their application of) pesticides being tested in research efficacy trials.
Ensure appropriateness of pesticides with existing IPM programs and compliance with legal and industry restrictions.
Help design, review, and revise procedures for research experiments conducted by project collaborators to ensure standardization.
Serve as a liaison with collaborators to oversee data collection, management, and reporting.
Troubleshoot methods and findings to ensure project objectives are achieved.
Contribute to writing papers, manuscripts, publications, and factsheets.
Present project findings to meetings of stakeholders and at other professional meetings.