Hello! My name is James Lichtenstein, and I'm a graduate student in the Pruitt lab. I'm excited to offer this research opportunity! It should provide invaluable experience in executing experiments on animal behavior and ecology in general.
Description: We are hiring paid field assistants to help us perform lab/field insect identification and behavioral experiments in western Pennsylvania. We will be manipulating the personality composition of mantises and observing resulting changes in plant biomass and insect community structure. Therefore, the job will largely consist of: 1) performing behavioral tests on insects, and 2) monitoring plots and applying sticky trap, and 3) monitoring insect abundance and plant biomass. This last task will involve detailed insect identification. You will be expected to be up early to assist with projects and assist with data entry in the evenings. Expect long, 9+ hour workdays. The job starts around on June 9th and goes until late July, although the end date will be flexible to your needs. We will be working with these mantises around Linesville, Pennsylvania. Although this is a sleepy small town, we'll have access to hiking, canoes, etc. There won't a ton of time for exploring this kind of recreation, but not no time. Compensation: Your housing and dining costs will be covered. We will be staying at a field station. Although we'll be preparing our own meals, you will not be expected to cook. There will be access to wifi. We can cover travel costs within the continental united states, but preference will be given to students from Pennsylvania and Ohio. If you do well, I am happy to write letters of recommendation, and we traditionally include assistants as authors on all publication. Finally, we will pay each assistant $600 dollars per month. Requirements and considerations: 1. Experience identifying insects 2. Seriously interested in pursuing a career in ecology 3. Excellent academic performance 4. Undergraduate or recent graduate 5. Must be able to stay for the entire 6 week duration 6. Experience with insects or behavioral testing is preferred, but not required 7. Must not be squeamish working with insects. We will capture and thousands of them. 8. If you have pollen allergies, this project may be an ordeal for you. Collecting insects may entail intense pollen exposure. We can provide masks to reduce this exposure. We will not consider applications submitted after March 9th. If you wish to apply, please send a short cover letter, your CV, and some sort of unofficial transcript to [email protected]. Finally, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
