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: and 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 skills and experience match the job requirements. Employment Eligibility Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. Retirement Plan Eligibility The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Pay Transparency The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. E-Verify The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] Compliance Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) which require the University to notify employees of a Campus Security Authority. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701. #J-18808-Ljbffr The University of Texas at Austin