Molecular Plant Pathology Lab Technician (Hourly)
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Job Description
The Illinois Natural History Survey’s Molecular Plant Pathology Lab is seeking undergraduate/graduate students or hourly technicians for lab work on DNA extraction, detection, and identification of phytoplasma plant pathogenic bacteria.
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 available literature.
The position is based in Champaign, Illinois at the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Molecular Plant Pathology Lab located 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, and 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 is preferred.
Salary: $14-15 per hour, depending on experience.
Availability: September/October 2024 -December 2024, up to 40 hours per week, but at minimum for two days per week.
To Apply: For full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 13, 2024. 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).
The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://go.illinois.edu/EEO that participates in the federal E-Verify program and participates in a background check program focused on prior criminal or sexual misconduct history