Research Assistant

NC State University

Raleigh (NC)

Hybrid

USD 55,000 - 58,000

Full time

27 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

The position integrates laboratory operations, insect colony management, biosafety compliance, and hands-on experimental support for genetic and molecular studies.

Qualifications

Relevant Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of relevant experience, or relevant independent experience and education.
Ability to operate microscopes, pipette, handle live insects, and run autoclave.
Experience supervising undergraduate students in lab settings.
Preference for MS in entomology or related discipline.

Responsibilities

Maintain fly stocks and provide staff with biological material at different stages of development.
Assist blows fly crosses and progeny analysis; set crosses with selected offspring.
Purchase supplies and autoclaving insect waste.
Supervise undergraduate students who support insect rearing.
Ensure safety and biosafety requirements are met and updated.

Skills

Microscopes

Pipette technique

Live insects handling

Autoclave operation

Supervising undergraduates

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3+ years relevant experience

MS in entomology or related discipline

Tools

Valid NC Driver’s License

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194723EP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Research Assistant

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $55,000 - $58,000

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. As the project involves working with live insects it may be necessary to work outside regular hours as needed.

Job Location

Department

Department Entomology and Plant Pathology

About the Department

As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a varied portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands‑on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Research Assistant will support a multidisciplinary research program focused on the development of CRISPR -based genetic control technologies for the New World screwworm and related blowfly species. This includes work on gene drive systems and precision‑guided sterile insect techniques (pgSIT). The position integrates laboratory operations, insect colony management, biosafety compliance, and hands‑on experimental support for genetic and molecular studies.
Duties Include:

Maintain fly stocks and provide staff with biological material at different stages of development when requested.
Support postdoctoral fellows by performing blow fly crosses, examining the progeny and setting additional crosses with selected offspring.
Purchase supplies.
Autoclaving insect waste.
Supervise undergraduate students who support insect rearing.

Other Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring that all safety/biosafety requirements are met.
Update safety plan and SOP for BUA as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Relevant Bachelor’s degree and 3 or more years of relevant experience, or relevant independent experience and education

Other Required Qualifications

Ability to:
- Operate microscopes
- Use pipette man
- Work with live insects in cages
- Operate autoclave

Preferred Qualifications

MS in entomology or related discipline

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Valid NC Driver’s License

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes

Commercial Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 06/17/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Position Number

Position Number 00112139

Position Type

Position Type EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

Department ID 111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you learn of this opportunity?
- NCSU Website
- Job Alert (automated email from our system)
- NCSU Executive Search Services
- Monster.com
- CareerBuilder.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- Other Online Job Board
- Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
- Job / Career Fair
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Professional Journal
- Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
- Professional Organization
- Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
- NCSU Employee Referral
- Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
- Other
If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.
(Open Ended Question)
* Which of the following best describes your education and experience?
- Relevant Master’s degree
- Relevant Bachelor’s and 3 or more years of relevant experience, or relevant independent experience and education
- Neither of the above