Summer Research Assistant: Conservation Biological Control and Sustainable Agriculture | USDA

Summer Research Assistant: Conservation Biological Control and Sustainable
Agriculture

Job Description: The USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Northern Plains
Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT is seeking an enthusiastic
and
hard working individual to serve as a biological science aide on projects
examining the influence of landscape structure and drought on pest insects
and their natural enemies (e.g. ladybeetles, parasitoid wasps).  The
research is focused on developing ecologically-based, sustainable and
environmentally friendly approaches to pest management in agricultural
systems.  This position will involve a mixture of field work (~70%), and
lab
work to sort samples and identify insect pests and their natural enemies
(~30%).  The successful candidate will gain hands on experience with insect
field sampling methods, set up and maintenance of field experiments and
insect rearing and identification techniques, as well as the chance to work
with the diverse insect fauna associated with cropping systems in a team
oriented research environment.

Salary: $11.30 (GS-2) or $12.33 (GS-3) per hour depending on experience and
education. The candidate will receive overtime pay when working above 40
hours a week.  Housing is not covered, but dorm-style shared housing is
available on location for $131 per month, including utilities.

Dates: Early May through the end of August (16 weeks).  Please specify your
available start and end dates in your application.

Qualifications: The candidate must be a US citizen.  Additionally, the
candidate should be physically fit, and comfortable spending time outside
in
uncomfortable field conditions (hot, biting insects etc.). Willingness to
work long days, and weekends when necessary is also a must. Undergraduate
course work in ecology or entomology, and previous field and lab work
experience is preferred but not required.
Application process: Please send cover letter, resume and names and contact
information of two references (electronically) to Dr. Tatyana Rand
(tatyana.rand@ars.usda.gov).
Evaluation of applications will begin February 22, and continue until the
position is filled. For more information on our research program visit our
website at www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl or contact us directly.