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Director Insect Research Jobs in Edgewood, MD (NOW HIRING)

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Director Insect Research information

See Edgewood, MD salary details

$15.3K

$118.1K

$154K

How much do director insect research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for director insect research in Edgewood, MD is $118,079.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,300.00 and $138,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Insect Research vs Entomologist?

AspectDirector Insect ResearchEntomologist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/Ph.D.), research experienceBachelor's or higher in entomology or related field, often with certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, or corporate R&DUniversities, research labs, agricultural companies
Employer & Industry UsageLeads insect research projects, manages teams, strategic planningConducts insect studies, fieldwork, data analysis, and reporting

While both roles involve insect research, the Director Insect Research typically oversees research programs and manages teams, requiring advanced degrees and leadership skills. An Entomologist focuses on conducting insect studies, often with hands-on fieldwork and data collection. The director role is more strategic and managerial, whereas the entomologist role is more technical and research-focused.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Insect Research, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Insect Research, you need advanced expertise in entomology, research methodology, and project management, usually supported by a Ph.D. and significant experience in the field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, statistical analysis software, and scientific publication processes is typically required. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help in guiding research teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These competencies are crucial for driving innovative research, securing funding, and ensuring impactful scientific outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Insect Research, and how do professionals in this role typically address them?

Directors of Insect Research often encounter challenges such as securing consistent funding for long-term studies, managing multidisciplinary teams, and staying updated with rapidly advancing research technologies. They address these by building strong relationships with grant agencies, fostering collaboration across research specialties, and prioritizing professional development for themselves and their teams. Additionally, effective communication and strategic planning are key to navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring research outcomes have real-world impact.

What does a Director of Insect Research do?

A Director of Insect Research oversees and manages research projects related to entomology, the study of insects. They lead teams of scientists, set research goals, and secure funding for projects that often focus on pest control, pollination, biodiversity, or disease vectors. This role involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating findings through publications or presentations. Directors also collaborate with other researchers, government agencies, and industry partners to ensure research aligns with current scientific and societal needs.
Director Insect Research jobs near you

Core Facility Research Specialist II (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology)

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • On-site

$41K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Johns Hopkins University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 71 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

183rd of 614 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute within the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health seeks a full-time Research Specialist II. This position will be situated within the JHMRI Core Insectary Facility under the direct supervision of facility director Dr. Conor McMeniman. The hire will work as part of a team and will be responsible for the mass production and quality control of mosquito colonies required to support JHMRI research operations, including downstream malaria parasite infection and mosquito transgenesis. This position will involve some light lifting, working in a warm and humid environment, and standing for prolonged periods while performing insect husbandry.
The Research Specialist II develops assays and protocols for PI approval and designs experimental approaches for laboratory projects. Performs a range of sophisticated assays. Makes significant contributions to various aspects of laboratory efforts and goals. Responsible for troubleshooting, independent decisions and training/guidance of other laboratory personnel.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  • Conduct assigned laboratory projects.
  • Utilize specialized knowledge to interpret results, e.g. read controls, evaluate results, etc.
  • Work independently and use scientific knowledge and lab experience to make judgments and decisions.
  • Teach/train learners, and new technicians in the laboratory.
  • Guide, direct, and facilitate problem solving for entry-level laboratory members on day-to-day problems with more challenging research assays.
  • Make scientific contributions to protocol development, efficiency, and productivity.
  • Collaborate in the development of new techniques and instruments.
  • Apply published research methods to current experimental work by investigating published protocols and discussing them with PI.
  • Scientifically contribute to the preparation of manuscripts and proposals.
  • Process analyzed data into figures for scientific publications.
  • Order equipment and supplies, interface with vendors.
  • Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above
  • Mass rearing and handling of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes to support core facility operations.
  • Protocol optimization for mosquito mass rearing.
  • Small animal handling for mosquito colony maintenance.
  • Support mosquito transgenesis activities using embryonic microinjection.
  • Maintain facility operations in compliance with all institutional and USDA guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
  • Two years of laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree with related graduate research.
  • Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
  • Experience with husbandry of mosquitoes or other insects under ACL2 and/or ACL3 containment.
  • Experience working with mice.
  • Experience with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and/or aseptic technique.
  • Some experience with standard molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cloning).
  • Some experience with insect transgenesis protocols (e.g. embryonic microinjection).

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency
  • Assay Development and Validation - Developing
  • Data Management and Analysis - Developing
  • Experimental Design and Execution - Developing
  • Operations Management - Developing
  • Protocol Development and Optimization - Developing
  • Scientific Writing - Developing
  • Stakeholder Engagement - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.
Classified Title: Research Specialist II
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Core Facility Research Specialist II (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology)
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $72,300 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: School of Public Health
Department name: W Harry Feinstone Dpt Molec Mblgy Imlgy
Personnel area: School of Public Health

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About Johns Hopkins University

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Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand—that success in one depends on success in the other—and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place. In 145 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, along with their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979. That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that has revolutionized higher education in the U.S. and continues to bring knowledge and discoveries to the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Baltimore, MD, US

Year founded

1876

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