Biological Science Technician (Bees and Crop Pollination): Michigan 1 Technician Position at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Duration: August 24 – December 21, 2018 (potential for longer employment based on performance and availability of funding) Salary: Full time: 40 hours/week, $11.00/hour Description: The Isaacs Lab at Michigan State University (www.isaacslab.ent.msu.edu) is seeking help with multiple pollinator projects in Fall 2018. Duties will largely be field work in Sept/Oct 2018, transitioning to lab work through the end of the appointment in Dec 2018. Daily tasks include: travel to field sites in a university vehicle (travel time is paid), work with honey bees, netting wild bees, flower identification, pollen sample processing, weed management, data entry, and labeling and curating bee specimens. Overnight stays at the MSU field research stations during sampling rounds are possible (accommodations at the field station are covered). Projects: 1) Great Lakes Pollinator Health Project – The aims of this project are to investigate long term population trends in Michigan bees, as well as identify underlying causes of managed pollinator decline. 2) Bumble bee foraging project – The aims of this project are to determine how bumble bees use the landscape when foraging for resources, and how habitat restoration influences colony dynamics in managed landscapes. 3) Honey bee nutrition project-- The aim of this project is to determine how landscape complexity affects honey bee health on multiple scales through nutrition. Michigan State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, and we especially encourage applications from minority and underrepresented groups. Required Qualifications: Interest in field research in entomology, conservation biology, field ecology Valid U.S. driver’s license, with a good driving record, and willingness to share driving responsibilities Ability to work outside for long periods of time in a variety of weather conditions Attention to detail and protocols Ability to work independently and as part of a team Desired Skills: Not allergic to honey bees Courses in Entomology Field work experience Lab work experience Research experience Lifting equipment up to 40 pounds Experience with data entry and analysis in Excel, and R Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people, including scientists, land owners, and agricultural producers To apply, please send: 1) a cover letter describing relevant research experience and primary interests, 2) your resume/curriculum vitae, and 3) the names and email addresses of three references. Send as one PDF to Kelsey Graham (graha...@msu.edu) by August 7, 2018 with “MSU Bee Technician” in the subject line.