Student Lab Assistant / Critter Crew

Position OverviewThe Critter Crew provides daily care and husbandry of insect colonies, maintains laboratory and greenhouse projects, and engages with the public during educational outreach events.

Working hours are between 8am-6pm M-F with a set weekly schedule. Work shifts are for a minimum of three hours. Some weekend shifts will be required.

Job Description

70% - Laboratory Operations & Insect Care

• Prepare artificial diet for insect larvae and specialized nectar for adult insects.
• Monitor, identify, and diagnose diseases within insect colonies to ensure population health.
• Maintain sanitation standards by cleaning insect cages and washing laboratory dishware.
• Provide general organization of laboratory space and equipment, and perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

10% - Shipping

• Pack and ship prepared diets, live insects, and educational materials.

10% - Greenhouse Cultivation

• Manage plant health through daily watering, transplanting, and general upkeep of plants for insect habitats.

5% - Educational Outreach

• Conduct engaging laboratory tours and interact with the public during community and educational events.

5% - Garden Maintenance

• Assist in maintaining optimal outdoor garden health. This includes clearing brush, moving mulch, pulling weeds, and cutting back plants.

Required Qualifications

1. Interest in or prior experience handling or working with insects, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Demonstrated ability to use a compound microscope, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Biology or Science major or coursework in these fields, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Experience working with insects or plants, as evidenced by application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

(3) Student employees must be able to lift 40 pounds, work outside or in a greenhouse under hot and humid conditions, and stand or sit for extended periods of time to perform repetitive tasks.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents and information are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two references

Please update availability in application or cover letter.

To ensure consideration, apply before the application review starts on Thursday, 6/4/2026. A review of applications will continue and is ongoing until a pool of qualified candidates is identified.