The Guédot Lab of Fruit Crop Entomology seeks 2 workers to conduct field and laboratory research. These positions support several projects aimed at understanding and managing social wasps and Japanese beetles in vineyards and flea beetles in cranberries across southern and central Wisconsin.

• Social Wasps: Understanding the role social wasps play in facilitating cluster rot infections in vineyards.
• Japanese Beetle: Assessing the impact of attract & kill methods for Japanese beetle management as well as determining baseline levels of a microsporidian, Ovavesicula popilliae, used as biological control for JB in other states.
• Flea Beetle: Examining how entomopathogenic nematodes can be used as a biocontrol of red-headed flea beetle in cranberry systems by targeting the soil-dwelling larvae.

Our lab and field crew are committed to fostering and furthering diversity in entomology. We are looking for applicants who share these values. We encourage people from all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Position details:

• Student hourly workers are encouraged to apply
• One full-time position starts June 1, 2024 and lasts until August 31, 2024
• One full-time position starts June 1, 2024 and lasts until September 30, 2024
• Both positions require driving to farms, with approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours between locations
• Workers should expect approximately 8 hour days with drive time included
• Pay: $15 an hour

Position responsibilities:

• Grapes will be clipped and wasps caught in traps will be counted.
• Collecting Japanese beetles from trial transects and traps at vineyards.
• Assessing damage to foliage of grapevines and cranberries.
• Some laboratory tasks, like labeling bags and processing samples, will be required.
• Maintaining emergence cages.
• Molecular and bioassays.
• Driving a minivan or similar vehicle.
• Processing beetle samples.
• Maintaining and emptying traps.
• Labeling and processing samples.
• Communicating with farm owners and operators.
• Updating lab members about your progress at weekly lab meetings.
• Data entry.

Qualifications & requirements:

• The ability to drive a university vehicle (clean driving record and 2 years experience on license are required)
• Some experience in agricultural settings preferred
• Coursework in entomology preferred
• The ability to tolerate outdoor work for extended periods of time
• A willingness to work with stinging insects

How to apply:

Send a cover letter, CV/resume, and the name of two references to Elizabeth Hrycyna (hrycyna@wisc.edu) by March 15th, 2024.

This article was posted in Opportunity for Undergraduate Students.