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Insectary Assistant at UC Davis

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, perform DNA extraction using an automated extraction instrument. Assess DNA samples for quantity and quality using an Agilent Technologies TapeStation and genotyping using a MassArray instrument and the associated software to score individual genotypes; proof-reading chromatographs and entering data into a web-based database. Work as part of a research team under the direction of the insectary manager studying the population genomics of mosquito vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Responsibilities include maintenance and safety of laboratory insectaries, including rearing mosquito strains, ordering insectary supplies, maintaining insectary equipment, and troubleshooting insect rearing protocols. The insectary assistant will travel annually to field sites in São Tomé & Príncipe (west Africa) and, possibly, other sites in Africa for up to 6 weeks at a time to assist with Anopheles mosquito collections, sample processing, and field laboratory setup.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work flexible schedule including rotating weekends and occasional holidays.
• Work in areas where hazardous materials and potential infectious disease agents (malaria parasite from field collected mosquitoes) are present.
• Work at, and travel to, field sites in tropical Africa.
• Work in open cubicle area where noise from others is present.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in biological sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience rearing mosquitoes or other arthropod species in an ACL 2/BSL 2 insectary.
• Experience conducting field work on mosquitoes or other aquatic invertebrates.
• Experience performing standard molecular techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, and ELISA
• Experience with maintenance of controlled environment chambers such as Darwin Chambers.
• Skills to visually identify various mosquito species.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to follow detailed instructions on the conduct of lab protocols.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience rearing Anopheles and/or Aedes mosquitoes and skills to troubleshoot rearing difficult strains.
• Experience using artificial feeding systems such as the Hemotek membrane feeding system.
• Background in ecology, entomology, and/or conservation biology.
• Skills to successfully extract reproductive organs from male and female mosquitoes.