Research Technician I (Temporary)

Position Highlights

The College of Entomology seeks a Research Technician I. This position will involve activities related to applied entomology research and agriculture, including planting, maintenance of research plots, harvesting of cotton, insect sampling, and the counting and identification of cotton pests and beneficial arthropods. Responsibilities also include the care and maintenance of insect colonies used for research, field testing of pesticides and other insecticidal technologies, and data entry and processing, among other tasks. Up to 60% of job responsibilities will take place in the field, particularly during early morning hours, possible summer heat. This position will be based off-campus at the laboratory of Dr. Ellsworth, professor in Entomology, at the Maricopa Experiment Station, in the city of Maricopa.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Collect insect samples in cotton fields using sweep nets ("sweeping"). These activities typically take place during the early morning hours of Arizona summers to avoid exposure to extreme heat conditions. This work may require physical effort and upper-body strength.
• Process field-collected samples by removing plant material and sorting, identifying, and counting collected insects.
• Assist with insecticide applications, including preparation activities such as mixing products and loading sprayers, helping deploy spray applications, and cleaning equipment afterward.
• Assist with manual and digital data entry. Data generated from processed samples, as well as observations collected directly from the field, must be recorded both manually and digitally for documentation and data security purposes.
• Assist with cotton field maintenance activities, including cutting alleys, establishing plots, weed removal, staking plots, monitoring irrigation status, monitoring plant health and development, harvesting, and other related field activities.