Entomologist

US-Agricultural-Research-Servic; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Agricultural Research Service in Manhattan, Kansas seeks a versatile entomology specialist to support colonies of mosquitos, midges, and other insects used in research projects.

Responsibilities include maintaining insect colonies, providing correct species and developmental stages, analyzing data for reports, and mentoring staff on culture techniques.

Applicants must meet basic entomology requirements and possess graduate education toward a Ph.D. degree as described in the position posting.

Qualifications

• Degree in entomology or a related biology/physical science with at least 16 semester hours in entomology.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable per the announcement.
• Specialized experience includes breeding mosquitos, midges or other insects for research and compiling data for reports.
• Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education toward a Ph.D. or Ph.D. or equivalent.
• Experience may include volunteer work and is creditable for qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain colonies of mosquitos, midges, house flies, and other insects for research projects.
• Provide insects of the proper species, developmental stage, and quality for studies.
• Analyze and compile research data for reports and manuscripts.
• Offer informal instruction to employees regarding insect species kept in culture.

Skills

Insect breeding

Data analysis

Training others

Education

Entomology degree or related field

Job description

This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plains Area in Manhattan, Kansas.

In this position, you will perform a wide range of duties involved in the operations, maintenance of colonies of midges, mosquitos, house flies, and other insects as needed, and provide insects of the proper species, developmental stage and quality for research projects. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Basic Requirements

• Degree: entomology; or a related discipline of the biological or physical sciences that included at least 16 semester hours in entomology.
• OR
• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major that included course work as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

GS-11

• Specialized experience is experience breeding mosquitos, midges or other insects for research projects; analyzing and compiling research data for scientific reports and manuscripts; and providing informal instruction to employees regarding insect species kept in culture.
• Education: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Related degrees may include entomology, biology, ecology, or microbiology.
• A combination of education and specialized experience as described above.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.