SUMMARY
The Moczek lab is looking for an hourly lab assistant to help with the care and maintenance of dung beetle colonies ($13/h, 10-20h/week depending on availability). Applicants must be available to work 3-hour shifts a minimum of three days per week. No previous experience in animal care required, but good communication skills (including checking/replying to emails daily) and reliability a must. Includes possibility to get involved in research projects if interested. Work requires ability to lift up to 50 lbs comfortably.
JOB POSTING DETAILS
Research in the Moczek Lab focuses on the evolution and development of novel complex traits using dung beetles. Beetle husbandry is fundamental to all our ongoing research projects. Duties on a regular basis will be:
-Feeding the dung beetles (yes, they eat cow poop!)
-Sifting soil in beetle terraria
-Creating containers for the beetles to breed in, using soil and cow dung
-Collecting beetle offspring from breeding containers
-Making rearing plates for developing larvae
-Autoclaving used soil
-Maintaining clean beetle rearing facilities
Other lab activities the Lab Assistant may be involved in consist of:
-Collaborating with the graduate students and postdocs on specific research projects
-Miscellaneous activities: outreach activities, collecting dung from the field, potlucks with the lab, and more!
This position is open to any student who would like a paid position working in a research lab, but it is an especially wonderful opportunity for people interested in evolution, ecology, development, and diversity. We require excellent attention to detail, accountability, collaborative attitude, and ability to work independently (after initial training). Availability to join the lab for several years is preferred. YOU WILL NEED TO BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. The lab will work around your class and exam schedule as well as holidays (including Fall, Winter and Spring breaks).
If you are interested in this position, please email both Armin Moczek (armin@indiana.edu) and Anna Macagno (amacagno@indiana.edu). Please include a resume and a summary of your weekly availability in the summer and fall semester.
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