The Gonthier lab at the University of Kentucky is recruiting a lab technician to study the ecological and economic costs and benefits of agricultural diversification and alternative pest control practices including those that are compliant with USDA organic certification. Current projects in the lab, include: cucurbit pest control strategies and pollination by wild and managed bees, spotted wing drosophila (SWD) control in small fruit, and integrated vegetable production/pastured poultry systems. The lab technician will be responsible for helping to design and carry out agroecological research together with Dr. Gonthier, graduate students, and undergraduate students. At the University of Kentucky, staff employees are allowed to enroll as part-time students. Lab technician candidates that are interested in working toward an M.S. or Ph.D. in Entomology are highly encouraged.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• M.S. and/or extensive undergraduate research experience with agricultural, entomological, and/or ecological research
• Farming experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to work with researchers, farmers, and practitioners
• Proficiency with R or another statistical program

Highly preferable skills include:

• Experience working with ArcGIS
• Experience working with poultry
• Experience with farmer surveys
• Demonstrated ability and/or desire to integrate results across interdisciplinary teams
• Spanish speaking proficiency

If interested in the position, please send an email to Dr. David Gonthier ([log in to unmask]  ) with the subject line "Agroecology lab Technician Position"€“ your last name. Within the email:
1. Express your interest in the position and briefly outline your qualifications
2. List your potential start dates
3. List contact information of three references
4. Attach a current CV

Evaluation of candidates will be on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For more information about the Gonthier lab, visit: http://gonthierdavid.wixsite.com/djgonthier.