Title: Geneticist (Student)
Position: Student Service Contractor
Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Location: La Crosse, WI
Hourly Rate of Pay: $18.78-26.03 (depending on current academic level)
Duration: minimum 6 months, can be extended up to 2 years
Job Summary: Primary service provided by the student is to assist with laboratory activities for studies of eDNA and eRNA development for invasive species detection and metabarcoding community analysis.
Project Description: The USGS provides scientific support to agencies and partners to help monitor invasive species as well as native communities of conservation concern. The USGS requires help for molecular ecology projects including, but not limited to, eRNA development and sequencing for invasive carp, metabarcoding of multiple communities and point-of-use eDNA development. The projects will be in furtherance of informing natural resource management actions to prevent invasive species spread, control existing invasive species populations, and monitor or mitigate effects on native species communities.
Services to be Provided: The student or recent graduate hire will be expected to help primarily with genomic library preparation for high throughput sequencing for both DNA and RNA, DNA/RNA extraction, and some assay development/validation. Some assistance with data analysis and report or presentation generation may also be requested. There may be occasional opportunities for field collection if of interest.
Qualifications: Completion of at least 1 year college-level coursework in genetics, molecular biology, molecular ecology, or closely related field. Experience in the laboratory with DNA extraction, PCR, genomic library preparation or similar techniques, with the ideal candidate having prior experience with environmental DNA. Careful attention to detail and demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a laboratory setting.
Required Documents: Cover Letter: brief letter describing interest in position. CV: include contact information, as well as relevant knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and contact information for three references. Unofficial undergraduate transcripts.
Eligibility: Students are eligible if they have graduated but received a college/university degree less than 12 months ago and are at least 18 years of age. Non-US citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. USGS employees, their spouses, and their children are not eligible to participate in this program.
Notice: Students are paid for each hour worked. Students will be working as independent contractors and do not receive a premium rate for work beyond 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. Additionally, students are paid only for hours worked (with no holiday or personal leave benefits). Students do earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Pay Rates for students include cost of self-employment taxes for social security and Medicare. This announcement is to fill one vacancy.
How To Apply, send e-mail:
Stephen Spear
U.S. Geological Survey 2630 Fanta Reed Road
La Crosse, WI 54603
sfspear@usgs.gov