General Information
| Job Description | LAB AST 2 | Working Title | Laboratory Assistant 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009603 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Entomology - D01048 | Department Head | Richard Redak |
| Supervisor | John Heraty | Effective Date | 04/11/2023 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| The lab assistant will sort, identify, image and curate insects. They will also be required to do extensive field work for collecting insects at remote sites in California as well as conduct laboratory-based activities. Applicants must have a sound knowledge of insect taxonomy, insect collection and insect curation. Preferred experience involves subject matter found in the UCR entomology courses Insect Biodiversity ENTM107 (sight recognition of common insect families), Field Entomology ENTM109 (extensive collection and curation of more than 100 families of insects) and Entomophagous Insects ENTM230 (rearing of insects and their parasitoids from plant or insect host material with a focus on parasitic Hymenoptera). The project involves a broad survey of the insects of southern California. Applicants must also be familiar with insect curation to be able to identify, database and curate identified insects for a project on collecting DNA barcodes of specimens. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| BSC in Entomology | Preferred |
| UC Riverside courses ENTM107, ENTM109, ENTM230 | Preferred |
| Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. | Required |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum of 1-2 years of experience | Required |
License Requirements
| License | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Drivers License | Required |
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Using MS Excel or FileMaker Pro to enter sample results into specimen database. Identify and image specimens using a Leica Digital Imaging system and following standard laboratory procedures. | 30 |
| Organize bulk insect collections for distribution to other project participants | 20 |
| Field collection of insects using insect sweep-netting, Malaise trapping, yellow pan trapping and other relevant methods at sites across Southern California. | 20 |
| Using standard procedures perform DNA extractions on selected material and organize extractions to be sent to cooperating institutions. | 20 |
| Drive to remote locations using university vehicles, which may require overnight stays to monitor traps. | 5 |
| Provide quarterly reports to supervisors of activities completed, which include estimates of the number of specimens processed. | 5 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ability to identify more than 100 families of insects through education or experience. | Required |
| Ability to conduct field work at remote locations in various weather and environmental conditions. | Required |
| Skills to work at a microscope to sort and identify insects independently. | Required |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| General Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Field work in remote location as well as at campus |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: No |