Laboratory Technician

Position Function:

Laboratory Technician who will, in the lab, prepare insect traps in the lab for several invasive insect pest survey programs and assist with sample and specimen preparation, arthropod zoo care, and perform miscellaneous other duties. The Technician will also assist student workers with lab activities.

Salary Grade: 09

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology pursues an academic research and service mission within the traditions of Land-Grant Universities. The Department offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and currently advises approximately 500 undergraduate and 50 graduate students.

Area of Specialization:

Entomology (insect trapping, sample processing, and arthropod zoo care)

Anticipated Appointment Date:

May 2024.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares insects traps and lures of various types for placement in the field.
• Sets up lab equipment and supplies and ensures proper operation.
• Prepares insect specimens for museum storage.
• Maintains a high degree of organization as it pertains to categorizing specimens and inputting their data.
• May assist students with occasional fieldwork when shorthanded.
• Practices good safety control methods.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Familiarity with trap designs used in invasive insect surveying and procedures for their
establishment and retrieval
• General knowledge of insect taxonomy, identification and dissection with a particular
emphasis on invasive species.
• Experience in operation of compound and dissecting microscopes along with laboratory
procedure.
• Excellent organization skills and dealing with large sets of data.
• Excellent computer skills such related to spreadsheets and word processing.
• Excellent interpersonal, communications, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Ability to innovate and work as a team member.
• Ability to anticipate barriers to project completion; plan and manage contingencies.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Requires limited lifting of files, records, and insect drawers.
• Fieldwork requires ability to drive and includes exposure to the outdoors and associated unpredictable weather.
• Frequent, external imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position.
• Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands.
• Travel throughout Mississippi or other states to various events and field sites may be necessary with some overnight stays required on occasion.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Applications must be submitted through the Human Resources
Management website at https://www.jobs.msstate.edu by completing the Support Staff
application and submitting a cover letter, resume, and three references.
For additional questions, please contact Swayze Hollenhead at [email protected].

Screening Date:

May 10, 2024, until filled.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.