RESA I: Field Ecology of Pasture Mealybugs

Job Posting Title: RESA I: Field Ecology of Pasture Mealybugs ---- Hiring Department: Department of Integrative Biology ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Sep 14, 2026 ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Oct 31, 2027 ---- Location: Texas ---- Job Details: General Notes The duration of this assignment is 15-months from the date of hire. Potential for renewal based on job performance, progress towards research goals, and available funding. This position will be based in Kingsville, Texas, as well as Brackenridge Field Laboratory, which is located off-campus in Austin, Texas. 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 field research assistant to assist with field research into invasive Pasture Mealybugs in South Texas. The study goal is to document the ecology and phenology of Pasture Mealybugs and conduct surveys of mealybugs and their parasitoids on native grasses and other plants. Responsibilities Participate in field studies as directed by research scientists. This includes field surveys of Pasture Mealybug (PMB) abundance on grasses and other plants in quadrats and transects, and documenting PMB damage to different plant tissues. Estimate litter densities and collect soil samples. Follow protocols to determine the monthly abundance of life-stages and spatial patterns of PMB distributions. Collect and identify plant specimens using dichotomous keys, focused on grasses. Collect, curate and process mealybug samples to send for identification. Maintain living mealybugs in insect containers to collect their parasitoids. Use microscope to measure or identify samples. Collect data from weather stations, soil moisture sensors, GPS and other field equipment. Keep detailed records in field notebooks and transcribe to Box. Manage data collection and curation from the field and lab and administer its input and management in online databases. Analyze and report summary statistics. Perform workflow planning,  submit weekly progress reports and work plans. Attend monthly meetings at BFL, Austin, as needed. Interact professionally with landowners and ranch management team. Perform administrative tasks, materials and equipment preparation and purchases, specimen handling and shipping, and equipment and vehicle maintenance and cleaning.  Implement safety plans for field and lab work. Required Qualifications BS degree in a biological science, with relevant experience. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Minimum of one year field research experience. Passion for natural history studies. MS degree in ecology. Experience with field ecological studies and surveys of plant and insect communities. Experience with fieldwork in South Texas. Experience with rearing and maintaining insects. Ability to identify plants to species level and insects to order or family level. Field safety awareness and commitment to safety. Experience with data management, data quality checks, and summary statistics. 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 $47,000 + depending on qualifications and experience Working Conditions Exposure to all weather conditions Ability to work outside in the summer Outdoor work along at remote field sites Exposure to insect bites/stings Ability to drive up to 8 hours in a day May require working with hazardous equipment or materials with appropriate PPE May work around chemical fumes Lifting and moving Work Shift Incumbent will provide their own accommodation at Kingsville or close to the study site. Some data entry and management work may be assigned for offsite/home. UT vehicle will be provided at the ranch study site for field work. Travel expenses to meetings in Austin will be covered separately. Depending on study needs set by the study leader, this may be 4x10 or 5x8 hour workdays. Occasional work on weekends and holidays 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 skill