Lab Technician

Job Description

The Couvillon Lab in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, is seeking a laboratory technician to support the laboratory of Dr. Couvillon. This position is available for 15 months, with continued appointment contingent on future funding. The laboratory technician will primarily assist the Principal Investigator (PI) and her laboratory members in performing behavioral experiments on bees. In particular, the technician will collect data for research projects investigating honey bee foraging dynamics and participate in general lab and field operations as needed. This will involve hands-on work with honey bees and also video analysis on a computer. Additionally, the technician may, depending on background and interest, contribute to other research projects investigating how bees find food in the landscape. There are opportunities for attending professional meetings, writing manuscripts, and publication of research findings.
The successful candidate should be a clear and effective communicator, detail oriented, keep careful records of experimental results, and be highly interested to learn about and perform honey bee research. Especially during field season, the candidate should also be flexible and motivated to help contribute to successful completion of projects.

Required Qualifications

Willingness and comfortability with handling honey bees; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Proficiency with standard computer software including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; Exceptional organizational skills and effective time management; Ability to work independently but also cooperatively with colleagues; Demonstrated ability to interact respectfully and comfortably with all individuals from a diverse, multicultural environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science, Entomology or related discipline; or, equivalent years of training and experience; Basic beekeeping and familiarity with handling and managing honey bee hives; Previous experience working in a research setting; Interest in learning proper techniques for analyzing and visualizing data; Appreciation for entomology, biology, and behavioral ecology research.

Pay Band

2

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$34,450 - 37,500

Review Date

03/29/2024

Additional Information

A review of applicants will begin after the review date of 03/31/2024, and will continue until a successful candidate is selected

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.