Research Assistant Senior

Job ID: 504011 | Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States | Department: Biology (330350) | Contact: Kathy Hanley, (575) 646-3611, khanley@nmsu.edu | Closing: Sep 9 2026, 23:55 MDT | Full-time (1.0 FTE), Exempt, Non-bargaining, Contingent on external funding

About the role

The Department of Biology is seeking a Research Assistant Senior to conduct statewide field surveillance for mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary importance. The position involves deploying and maintaining surveillance equipment, collecting and processing specimens, performing molecular diagnostic testing, managing data, and assisting with scientific communications. Work is performed under variable environmental conditions across New Mexico and may require travel and hours outside the standard schedule.

Responsibilities

• Conducts statewide field surveillance for mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors using established collection methods and surveillance protocols.
• Deploys, operates, retrieves, cleans, and maintains mosquito traps and other vector surveillance equipment at designated field sites throughout New Mexico.
• Collects, labels, preserves, transports, and processes mosquito and other arthropod specimens in accordance with established protocols and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Records accurate field data, including collection location, date, trapping method, environmental conditions, specimen information, and other relevant surveillance variables.
• Identifies mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors to appropriate taxonomic levels using morphological identification keys, microscopy, and established identification procedures.
• Sorts, counts, and prepares mosquito specimens and pools for laboratory testing and long-term storage.
• Performs routine laboratory procedures for detection of vector-borne viruses and other pathogens, including specimen homogenization, nucleic acid extraction, PCR and RT-PCR, and related molecular diagnostic techniques.
• Prepares laboratory reagents, solutions, controls, specimens, and other materials required for vector and pathogen testing.
• Operates, calibrates, cleans, and performs routine maintenance of laboratory and field equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer specifications.
• Follows established quality-assurance and quality-control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of field, laboratory, and surveillance data.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of specimens, laboratory procedures, test results, equipment use, and other research and surveillance activities.
• Enters, reviews, validates, and maintains vector surveillance and laboratory testing data in electronic databases and other data-management systems.
• Assists with organization, analysis, interpretation, and visualization of surveillance data, including preparation of tables, figures, maps, and summaries of vector abundance, distribution, seasonality, and pathogen detection.
• Compiles field and laboratory results and assists with preparation of surveillance reports, technical reports, research presentations, manuscripts, posters, and other scientific communications.
• Communicates surveillance findings, unusual observations, positive pathogen detections, data-quality concerns, and technical problems to supervisory research personnel.
• Maintains inventories of field and laboratory supplies and assists with ordering, receiving, organizing, and maintaining materials required for surveillance activities.
• Follows established laboratory safety, biosafety, chemical safety, biological waste disposal, and field safety procedures and maintains required safety documentation.
• Assists with implementation of standardized surveillance protocols across multiple collection locations to promote consistency and comparability of statewide surveillance data.
• Coordinates field schedules, specimen processing, laboratory testing, and data entry activities to support timely completion of surveillance objectives.
• Provides technical assistance and instruction to student employees, temporary personnel, collaborators, and other individuals participating in established vector surveillance activities, as assigned.
• Travels to surveillance locations throughout New Mexico and performs fieldwork under variable environmental and weather conditions, including activities that may occur outside normal working hours when required by surveillance protocols.
• Maintains current knowledge of established methods and procedures relevant to mosquito surveillance, vector identification, molecular diagnostics, vector biology, and vector-borne disease surveillance.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned in support of research and statewide vector and vector-borne virus surveillance activities.

Requirements

• Associate's degree plus two years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a biology-related field.
• Experience in vector identification and surveillance.
• Academic knowledge of virology and research ethics.
• Facility in molecular biology and statistical analysis.

Working conditions

• Environment: Moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Physical effort: Moderate physical activity.
• Lifting requirements: Heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Schedule

• Standard work schedule: