MORE INFORMATION: Position/Application Website
Our research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and focuses on uncovering the true diversity of phytoplasmas worldwide, reconstructing their evolutionary relationships, and documenting their associations with insects and plants by screening a large collection of insects preserved in a museum biorepository using modern DNA sequencing techniques and by extracting additional data from published literature.
The position is based at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Molecular Plant Pathology Lab at the Natural Resources Building on the University of Illinois campus.
Duties and Responsibilities
The technician will assist with molecular lab work for the detection of phytoplasmas (pathogenic bacteria) in insect samples preserved in the museum collection at INHS. This involves several activities such as preparing insect samples for DNA extractions, DNA quantification, qPCR screening, and data entry.
The position requires availability for a minimum of two days each week, at least 4 hours per day: 1 day for preparing the samples, another day (after 48 hours) for DNA extraction, quantification, and screening.
Qualifications
A background or interest in microbiology, ecology, entomology, molecular biology, or a related field, and prior experience with molecular lab work are preferred.
Salary: $15 per hour.
Availability: September/October 2025 -December 2025, up to 40 hours per week, but at a minimum of two days per week.
To Apply: For full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 15, 2025. However, the position will remain open throughout the Fall semester. To apply, please submit a cover letter stating your interests and qualifications and a brief resume to Dr. Valeria Trivellone (valeria3@illinois.edu).