The lab of Nancy Moran is seeking a reliable volunteer undergraduate research assistant to help with experimental studies involving aphids and their symbiotic bacteria. Please find the announcement below, and direct any questions to kim.hammond@utexas.edu. In this lab, students will learn a wide range of transferable lab skills, and gain first-hand experience in the scientific research process. Students may have the opportunity for independent research pending interest and performance. Also, students can develop a project for credit, as an independent study or honors project. Position can start immediately, 10 or more hours a week during weekdays from 9am-6pm, and applicants should have 2-3 hour blocks of time available in their schedule. For full consideration please send the following to kim.hammond@utexas.edu: • resume • schedule of availability • name/contact for at least two references • brief summary of why you are interested in the position • relevant courses & total GPA • lab experience, including specific skills learned
Preference will be given to students of freshman or sophomore class standing who can work with the lab for at least a year including the summer, but multiple years of availability are preferred. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in postgraduate research in biology.
We accept students each year and this project is ongoing. The work requires being in the lab. Unfortunately, we cannot take students during fall 2020, as UT has closed labs to undergraduate students. We hope to take students in Spring 2021. We can only accept students if university policies allow labs to open up again.
The research project will consist of the maintenance of aphids and plants, using molecular biology and biochemistry to study the proteins underlying symbiosis, as well as engineering of aphid symbionts to develop genetic tools for interrogating symbiosis. Job duties include molecular biology work (PCR, cloning, sequencing), microbiological techniques (isolation and propagation of bacteria), and biochemistry (protein purification and enzymatic assay development) depending on the interests of the student. Applicants with a strong interest in symbiosis and evolution as well as prior micro/molecular biology experience (culturing of microorganisms, aseptic technique, pipetting, PCR) are preferred, but specific laboratory skills can be learned on the job. Applicants should be meticulous, well organized and able to keep up-to-date records.
