Director Insect Research Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting Title:
Laboratory Research Assistant III - Grassland Ecology
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Hiring Department:
Department of Integrative Biology
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Jun 15, 2026
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Jun 30, 2027
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Location:
BRACKENRIDGE FIELD LAB
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Job Details:
General Notes
The assignment term is 12-months from the date of hire. Renewals for additional one-year periods may be possible, contingent upon job performance, progress towards research goals, and funding.
UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship. This position is security sensitive; criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background checks.
Purpose
The Invasive Ecology Lab at UT Austin's Brackenridge Field Laboratory is looking to recruit a motivated and resourceful technician to assist with research into invasive species by performing skilled field , laboratory, and greenhouse studies. The study systems include invasive grasses, herbivorous insects and their parasitoids on grasses, and plant - soil microbial studies.
Responsibilities

• Participate in field studies as directed by research scientists. This includes setting up and maintaining field studies, collecting, processing and curation of plants, insects and fungal associates, field identification of plants, remote trap cameras, weather stations, trip planning, detailed record keeping and sample curation, and proficient use of field equipment. Interact professionally with landowners.
• Perform greenhouse duties to study plants, insects and fungal associates. This includes setting up studies and recording outcomes of plant, insect, soil, microbial and nutrient treatments. Finalizing experiments by performing data collection, data management, sample processing and experiment breakdown. Maintain greenhouse plant cultures, environmental controls, supplies and equipment.
• Perform laboratory duties including specimen preparation for molecular and chemical analyses. Analyze images from trap cameras. Analyze weather station data. Use microscope to measure or identify samples. Culture fungal endophytes in sterile lab conditions. Conduct data entry, and management, and perform initial analyses of data from field, lab and greenhouse studies.
• Assist with administrative tasks, workflow planning, materials and equipment supplies preparation and purchases, general lab and vehicle maintenance and cleaning. Participate in lab meetings.
• Help to improve the lab processes, efficiency and safety. Perform quality and safety inspections to meet EHS requirements. Help update lab manuals and protocols.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Work experience in field and lab research.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in ecology.
• Experience in several areas of natural sciences, research methods and biological laboratories.
• Experience with field ecological studies or surveys of plant and insect communities.
• Greenhouse experience with growing and maintaining plants.
• Ability to identify plants and insects to order or family level.
• Basic wet lab skills such as reagent preparation, repeatable pipetting, cleanliness, data labeling.
• Field safety awareness and commitment to safety.
• Experience with data management and biostatistics.
• Demonstrated ability to perform as a member of a dynamic research team.
• Excellent communication skills: listening, written and verbal.
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented mindset.
• Effective problem-solving skills in a dynamic environment.

Driving Required
This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).
Salary Range
$38,250 + depending on qualifications and experience
Working Conditions

• Exposure to all weather conditions
• Ability to work outside in the summer
• Exposure to insect bites/stings
• May require working with hazardous equipment or materials
• May work around chemical fumes
• Lifting and moving

Work Shift

• Outdoor work at remote field sites required including some overnight stays up to four (4) nights per week.
• Depending on study needs set by the study leader, this may be 4X10 or 5X8 hour workdays.
• Occasional work on weekends and holidays may be required.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• A cover letter explaining how your skills and experience match the job requirements.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.