Research Scientist I - Entomology

Position Title:
Research Scientist I - Entomology

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in the identification of arthropods, with an emphasis on mosquitoes and ticks
Field experience in surveillance techniques for monitoring of mosquito and tick populations
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience in the use of spatial mapping software (ARCGIS, QGIS, etc.)
Experience in public health communication/outreach

Job Description:
Summary

The Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking applicants for a Research Scientist I position to join the Smith Laboratory. 

The candidate will have an integral role in mosquito and tick surveillance efforts in the state of Iowa. Primary responsibilities include the identification of arthropod vectors collected across the state, the processing of samples for pathogen detection, and the curation of surveillance data. This involves frequent opportunities for field work through mosquito trapping and active tick surveillance efforts. Additional roles include the management/oversight of seasonal employees and interactions with local public health partners in a leadership capacity. Other duties include the preparation of manuscripts for peer reviewed-scientific journals and project reports for local and state public health agencies. On occasion, some travel may be required to visit with collaborating public health partners to educate and evaluate potential surveillance sites.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to work independently, have excellent written communication skills, and possess strong organizational and time management skills. The successful candidate will also have at least one year of demonstrated experience in mosquito or tick surveillance. There are additional opportunities to work on collaborative projects with other members of the laboratory, the Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne disease, or other collaborative efforts examining vector ecology and epidemiology.

Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

October 31, 2022

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Original Posting Date:
August 26, 2021

Posting Close Date:
September 5, 2021

Job Requisition Number:
R6031

Position Information:

Position Title:
Research Scientist I - Entomology

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in the identification of arthropods, with an emphasis on mosquitoes and ticks
Field experience in surveillance techniques for monitoring of mosquito and tick populations
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience in the use of spatial mapping software (ARCGIS, QGIS, etc.)
Experience in public health communication/outreach

Job Description:
Summary

The Department of Entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking applicants for a Research Scientist I position to join the Smith Laboratory. 

The candidate will have an integral role in mosquito and tick surveillance efforts in the state of Iowa. Primary responsibilities include the identification of arthropod vectors collected across the state, the processing of samples for pathogen detection, and the curation of surveillance data. This involves frequent opportunities for field work through mosquito trapping and active tick surveillance efforts. Additional roles include the management/oversight of seasonal employees and interactions with local public health partners in a leadership capacity. Other duties include the preparation of manuscripts for peer reviewed-scientific journals and project reports for local and state public health agencies. On occasion, some travel may be required to visit with collaborating public health partners to educate and evaluate potential surveillance sites.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to work independently, have excellent written communication skills, and possess strong organizational and time management skills. The successful candidate will also have at least one year of demonstrated experience in mosquito or tick surveillance. There are additional opportunities to work on collaborative projects with other members of the laboratory, the Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne disease, or other collaborative efforts examining vector ecology and epidemiology.

Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

October 31, 2022

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Original Posting Date:
August 26, 2021

Posting Close Date:
September 5, 2021

Job Requisition Number:
R6031