Campus Research Lab Hiring Student Research Technicians starting Summer 2018

The Hamby Lab in the Department of Entomology is hiring 2-3 student
research technicians starting Summer 2018. The technician’s time will be split between field and
lab work, with specific duties determined by applicant experience and interest. Field work will be
conducted at various sites across Maryland, including both university research stations and
commercial farms. The successful applicant will assist with maintenance of insect colonies,
planting and maintenance of experimental plots, crop harvest, insect trapping, and data
collection for both field and laboratory assays, as well as participate in general day-to- day
laboratory activities. Technicians will work cooperatively with other lab members, and all training
and transportation will be provided. There will be opportunities to learn microbiology and
molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, if interest is shown. Positions will be full time (40
hours per week) during the summer, with opportunities for continued part-time employment
throughout the academic year dependent on performance and interest.

Primary Responsibilities: ​These may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.) Crop maintenance (e.g. planting, weeding, pruning, harvesting) in growth chambers,
greenhouse facilities, and at various field sites.
2.) Monitoring insect pests through visual scouting and trapping, and evaluating plant
damage through plant dissections.
3.) Collection and processing of plant, soil, and insect specimens from various field trials
and experiments.
4.) Stereo-microscopy for insect identification.
5.) Rearing insects in the laboratory including maintenance of​ ​Drosophila stocks as well as
colonies of aphids, Corn earworm, and Dectes stem borer.
6.) Conducting laboratory assays to study impacts of insecticide seed treatments in wheat
on population dynamics of aphids and aphid parasitoids.
7.) Evaluation of how insecticide seed treatment impacts soil microbial communities through
quantitative PCR and Illumina sequencing of soil microbial DNA.
8.) Assisting with studies to measure spray coverage in Maryland brambles, including
developing and processing spray cards, and setting up laboratory pesticide bioassays.
9.) Data aggregation and spreadsheet/database entry according to standard laboratory
protocols.

Note:​ ​Additional responsibilities may vary depending on individual interests and as
research emphasis changes in each laboratory.

Requirements: Must be 18 years or older and a current student at the University of Maryland. A
current Maryland driver’s license with a clean driving record. Candidates should demonstrate an
enthusiasm for working both outdoors and in a sterile lab environment.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with: 1) Previous​
experience/employment in an academic laboratory environment, 2) insect rearing experience, 3)
agricultural experience, 4) ability to work outdoors, potentially under harsh environmental
conditions.

Closing Date. Review of applications will begin on May 13 th , and will remain open until the
positions are filled.

Applications. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV/resume to Josh
Yeroshefsky (jyeroshefsky@gmail.com), as well as any questions you may have.