Job Information
Pennsylvania State University Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Kersch-Becker Lab in University Park, Pennsylvania
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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Duration: May to August 2022
Job purpose: To assist in field and lab data collection.
If interested, please send your resume to Dr. Monica Kersch-Becker (mfkb@psu.edu).
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Research focus: Effects of plant defenses on arthropod communities
Research will include: fieldwork (planting, recording arthropods on plants, assisting in experimental setup), collecting plant volatiles, working with insects/arthropods, assisting in insect colony care, and assisting in plant care.
Candidates must be enthusiastic and self-motivated, detail oriented, willing to work flexible hours, enjoy working in the lab and outside, and be able to work independently.
LOCATION AND COMMITMENTS
The work would be primarily at the Kersch-Becker Lab at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on the University Park campus and at Rock Springs Research station
40 hours a week, specific working times are flexible
Most work will be restricted to weekdays and normal working hours but there may be occasional data collection events that require weekends or odd hours
Candidates must be enthusiastic and self-motivated, detail-oriented, willing to work flexible hours, enjoy working in the lab and outside, and be able to work independently.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- The person in this position will primarily be working with Dr. Monica Kersch-Becker. We do expect the employee to eventually work mostly independently on some tasks, such as data collection in the field and plant/arthropod colony care. Helpful, timely, and respectful communication with all personnel involved in the research is very important. There will also be many opportunities to interact with the other researchers in the Department of Entomology, maintaining a productive and respectful environment in the lab is necessary. Great opportunity to build your resume and gain research experience
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