OPS Biological Sciences Technician (Plant Pathology)

Job Description

Located in UF / Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, we have a part-time position for a qualified individual to assist with support activities for research staff conducting experiments related to insect transmitted viruses and other diseases, and associated field and laboratory experiments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field insect population surveys across diverse vegetable crops in field experiments.
• Inspect host plants and collect data from physical sticky traps to track known plant disease vectors (e.g., whiteflies and thrips).
• Perform accurate counts and digitally log vector population levels.
• Establish and help maintain experimental vegetable plots.
• Plant seeds and transplant delicate seedlings into the field.
• If needed, perform hand-weeding and apply precise fertilizer.
• Help install row covers or stakes to maintain healthy plant environments.
• Organize botanical, soil, or insect samples directly at field sites.
• Screen diverse crops for visual disease symptoms (e.g., blights, mildews, wilts, or viral mosaics), and log sample data and metadata onto physical sheets or mobile field applications.
• Participate in occasional day trips to external research locations or commercial fields to collect collaborative data sets and monitor regional disease outbreaks.

Qualifications

• Must be comfortable executing specific field data and strict tool sanitation protocols without constant direct oversight.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in Florida.

Preferred

• Ability to work a part-time: Part-time, 3 days per week (typically 24 hours per week).
• Must be comfortable executing specific field data and strict tool sanitation protocols without constant direct oversight.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in Florida.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please upload resume and cover letter by 11:59 p.m. EST of the requisition close date. This is a time-limited position.

Health Assessment Required

Yes