Citrus Research and Education Center

Employment

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OPS – Greenhouse Tech
The primary responsibility of this position is to assist in regular activities in support of the insect pest management and ecology research program at the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center. The individual in this position will be expected to participate in ongoing projects, including development of microorganisms for insect pest control. Responsibilities will also include maintenance of insect cultures and greenhouse plants for use in the research program; preparation, manipulation, confirmation of plants and insects for DNA extractions, and aiding with general laboratory maintenance activities.

Duties Include:
- Background knowledge in agriculture and insects is a plus. Position will require maintaining insect cultures and conducting molecular genetic analyses.
- This person will be conducting independent efficacy bioassays with insect and plants. Must demonstrate capacity to organize and execute experiments.
- Collection and compilation of experiment data; assists in following prescribed procedures in gathering, organizing, and compilation of experimental data from field and lab studies. Perform, coordinate, and maintain DNA extractions from cell cultures and insects, and PCR of these materials. This includes laboratory investigations of insect life history and behavior and evaluation of bioassays with the aid of molecular genetic techniques and microscopy. Responsible for maintaining continuity of form for computer reduction of data and for maintaining access to data for review and analysis purposes.
- Maintenance of Greenhouse room, growth chambers, and insect colonies.
Rate of Pay: Commensurate with experience

Hour of Work: Full Time Monday thru Friday

Applicants should email Dr. Lukasz Steliniski at stelinski@ufl.edu

OPS – Greenhouse Tech
Our research program, located in Lake Alfred Florida, has a part-time OPS position for Greenhouse work. An ideal candidate will have experience working in a greenhouse or plant nursery.

Duties Include:
- Primary responsibility of this position is for grafting citrus trees. This includes inoculation of
- CTV-infected budwood into receptor trees, and propagation of scions onto rootstock. Grafts are to
- be checked after two weeks to see if grafts have successfully established.
- Hand watering and fertilization of citrus trees and seedlings, as well as tobacco plants.
- Transplanting citrus seedlings and tobacco as needed.
- Assist with keeping and orderly greenhouse, including washing citrus pots.
- Appropriate disposal of recombinant plant tissues is required.
- Scouting for insect pests.
- Occasionally spraying of micronutrients and non-restricted use pesticides. Applicant would be
- working under in-house pesticide applicators license.
- Operate a soil sterilizer. Mix soil for potting up plants.
- Able to tolerate varied weather conditions, including rain and summer temperatures in greenhouses and screenhouses.
- Must be willing to work one weekend day if needed, on occasion.
- Ability to lift 25lb bags of soil, fertilizer.
Rate of Pay: $13 - $15 per hour, depending on experience.
Work Hours: 20 hours per week (0.5FTE), Monday – Friday.

Applicants should email Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar at mohtarc@ufl.edu.

OPS – Molecular Laboratory Technician
Our research laboratory located in Lake Alfred Florida has a part-time position for a qualified individual to assist with support activities for research staff conducting experiments related to the study of Citrus greening disease (HLB). We are working to develop and deploy CTV infectious clones to mitigate the HLB effect on citrus production.

An ideal candidate will have several years pf experience and coursework in microbiology, virology, plant pathology or related field. Advanced degree is a plus. Laboratory experience can substitute for degree.

Desired skills include experience with major molecular biology protocols including any of the following:
- Northern and Western blotting
- DNA /RNA extraction and agarose gel analysis of DNA/RNA samples cloning techniques
- Real-time qPCR and RT-PCR assays
- Sequencing analysis
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbebt assay (ELISA)
- Inoculation of plants with pathogens
- Preparation of various media and solutions
- Experience with Confocal microscopy is a plus
Salary: $15.00 to $20.00 depending on experience.

Work Week : Approximately 20-30 hours a week.

To Apply: Send resume to: Dr. Choaa El-Mohtar, mohtarc@ufl.edu