Nancy Moran's lab is seeking reliable undergraduate research assistants to help with experimental studies of insects and their bacterial symbionts. Please find the announcements below, and direct any questions to kim.hammond@utexas.edu. In this lab, students will learn a wide range of 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. Positions for 2023 begin on September 1 for 10-15 hours a week during weekdays from 9am-6pm, and applicants should have 2-3 hour blocks of time available in their schedule. Preference will be given to students of sophomore or junior class standing who can work with the lab for at least a year including the summer. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in postgraduate research in biology.
For full consideration please send the following to kim.hammond@utexas.edu:
• resume
• schedule of availability
• name and email 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
Job duties will primarily involve:
• Working with live bees, indoor and outdoor bee hives, maintaining aphid colonies, maintaining fly lines and/or bacterial cultures.
• There will be opportunities for molecular biology (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, sequencing) and microscopy experience.
• The position may involve microinjections and dissections of insects; the ability to work dexterously at a microscope is desired.
• Experience with sterile technique and attention to details is highly preferred.
• Desired, but not required skills include working with live animal and basic lab skills (pipetting, light microscopy, PCR).
• Applicants need to be meticulous, well organized, and able to keep up-to-date records.
• In this position students may work with outdoor bee hives in hot conditions and must be able to lift 50 pounds (bee hives are heavy).
• Students in this lab will be exposed to bees, even if they are not working directly with bees.
Preference will be given to students of sophomore or junior class standing who can work with the lab for at least a year including the summer. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in postgraduate research in biology.
We accept new students each year, as previous ones graduate. Usually students start at the beginning of Summer or Fall terms.
