Biological Science Aide

Summer Research Assistant: Grassland Insect Ecology

USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory (Dave Branson Lab)

Sidney, MT

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT is seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working individual to assist with summer research.  The research in our lab examines the effects of fire and livestock grazing on grasshoppers and other insect populations, how grasshopper outbreak control programs affect population dynamics and ecosystem health, and examining how changes in biotic and climatic factors influence grasshopper outbreaks. Additionally, we are interested in how grasshoppers, the dominant grassland invertebrate herbivore, influence grassland health, grazing system sustainability and nutrient cycling.

Duties:  This position will involve a mix of field and laboratory work including sampling and catching grasshoppers and other insects, sampling vegetation and soils, field site setup, and potential cage study manipulations.  Laboratory duties may include sorting and processing insect and plant or soil samples, as well as data entry.  These duties can require extended periods of standing or sitting while performing detailed tasks, as well as long days in the field.  Most of our field work will be conducted in the Little Missouri National Grassland in Eastern North Dakota as well as on field sites associated with ARS labs in Miles City, Montana and Mandan, North Dakota, and across Eastern Montana.  Overnight travel to field sites may be required, with government vehicles provided. The position will also provide the opportunity to interact and work with other research programs at the lab including conservation biocontrol, pollination ecology and weed biocontrol.

Qualifications:  The candidate must be a US citizen, with a valid driver’s license.  The candidate should be physically fit and comfortable spending long hours outside in field conditions, including dealing with heat and changing weather conditions, potential biting insects, and the stray cactus.  This position requires being able to walk rapidly over rangeland while sweeping for insects.  Willingness to work long days and the occasional weekend is a must. Previous experience driving off paved roads is preferred but not required. Undergraduate coursework in ecology, entomology, or range science, and previous field research experience is preferred but not required. 

Pay:  Full time, GS2-GS4 ($16.68-17.35 per hour) dependent on experience and education.  The candidate will receive overtime pay when working more than 40 hours per week.  

Dates:  May through September, depending on candidate’s availability.  Please specify your available start and end dates in your application.