Student Research Technician

Location: College Park, MD
Department: Entomology
Supervisor: Dr. Kelly Hamby

Position Description: The Hamby Lab in the Department of Entomology is hiring 2-3 student
research technicians for spring/summer 2020. The Hamby lab performs basic and applied
research in sustainable agriculture, working in multiple Mid-Atlantic agroecosystems with
topics that include integrated pest management, invasive species, and insect-microorganism
interactions (for more information, please visit our website).

Tasks will include a mixture of field work and lab work, with specific duties determined based
on 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 be responsible for assisting with planting and maintaining experimental plots,
conducting laboratory assays, culturing and identifying microorganisms, and assisting with data
collection for both field and laboratory assays. In addition, the technician will assist with
general laboratory maintenance. Technicians will work cooperatively with other lab members,
and all training and transportation to off-campus sites will be provided. There will be
opportunities to learn microbiology and molecular biology techniques (e.g., sterile culturing of
microbes, PCR, etc.) if interest is shown. Positions will be part-time work during the academic
year and dependent on performance, interest, and availability can become full-time in the
summer.

Primary Responsibilities: These include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Planting, maintaining, and sampling research plots including field corn and
raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry plantings.
2) Conducting laboratory assays to study yeast and fungal associations with fruit
flies in raspberry fruit.
3) Maintenance of insect colonies including aphids, lady beetles, and Dectes stem
borers.
4) Data entry and summarization 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 is required. Background in biology
or other life sciences, and experience in entomology, agriculture, or molecular biology is
preferred but not necessary. Candidates should demonstrate an enthusiasm for working both
outdoors and in a sterile lab environment. The applicant must also be capable of driving a large
work vehicle and be physically able to lift at least 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with: 1) Agricultural
experience, 2) Previous experience/employment in an academic laboratory environment, and 3)
fungal culturing experience.

Closing Date. Review of applications will begin on March 20th, and will remain open until the
positions are filled.

Applications. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of 3
references to Torsten Schoneberg (torschon@umd.edu), Rachel Sanford (sanfordr@umd.edu),
Maria Cramer (mec@umd.edu), and Maggie Lewis (mtlewis@umd.edu).

The University of Maryland, College Park, actively subscribes to a policy of equal
employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because
of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or
national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender
identity or expression. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.