POOL: Student Lab Assistant - Critter Crew


Position Overview

The critter crew provides day-to-day maintenance and care of a laboratory insect population. This includes the care of plants in a greenhouse and garden maintenance tasks. The lab assistants will participate in public events and give lab tours. 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 Responsibilities: prepare artificial diet for larvae, prepare nectar for adult insects, identify and diagnose diseases in insect population, clean cages, wash dishes, provide general organization of the laboratory and equipment, other related duties and projects as assigned.

10% - Shipping: prepare and ship diet, insects, and educational materials.

10% - Greenhouse duties: watering, transplanting, and general upkeep of thousands of greenhouse plants.

5% Interact with visitors and give lab tours.

5% - Work in Garden: General maintenance and upkeep of garden including moving mulch and brush, cutting back plants, and pulling weeds.

Required Qualifications

  • Current KU Student
  • Interest or prior experience in handling and working with insects as demonstrated by application materials
  • Ability to use a compound microscope as evident from coursework or work experience.
**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 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Biology or Science Major or coursework in these fields
Experience working with insects or plants
Ability to lift 40 pounds
Ability to work outside or in greenhouse under hot and humid conditions
Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time to preform repetitive tasks

Additional Candidate Instructions

Cover letter, resume, and three references. Please list your availability in application materials.

Application review begins 5/4/2023 but applications will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled.

Contact Information to Applicants

Ann Ryan, annryan@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range

$15.00/hr

Work Schedule

Work shifts will be a minimum of three hours in length between 8-6 M-F. Some weekend work will be required. 15-20 hrs per week.

Anticipated Start Date

Friday June 2, 2023

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Posting Information

  • Posting ID:  25028BR
  • Department:  KS Biological Survey
  • Primary Campus:  University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
  • Reg/Temp:  Temporary
  • Employee Class:  S-Student

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