RESEARCH TECHNICIAN IN INSECT/ANIMAL CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
ONE POSITION IS AVAILABLE
Position Title: Technician (Técnico Titular A).
Employment Status: Full-Time, 12 months. The appointment is renewable depending
upon performance and funding. After three years, candidates can apply for tenure.
General Description: The selected candidate is expected to provide technical support to
researchers in entomology, pest management and behavioral studies in research programs
on plant-insect and insect-insect interactions, focused mainly on understanding the chemical
ecology of insect pests and their host plants or natural enemies as the basis for the
development of innovative and sustainable pest management strategies.
Responsibilities: The technician will support researchers by:
Helping to generate research at the cutting edge of knowledge.
Providing technical assistance to the Biomimic cluster and other collaborating
researchers in the development and performing of experiments on substances that
modulate the behavior of insect pests and their natural enemies.
Applying established techniques (EAG, olfactometer, wind tunnel responses) to
determine the response of insects to a range of chemical substances derived from
natural or synthetic sources.
Assisting in the technical aspects of laboratory and field studies on nutritional ecology
of insect pests and their natural enemies and in the responses of insect pests to novel
trap designs, baits and attractants for the control and monitoring of these pests.
The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with Biomimic researchers in
studies on the sexual conduct of pests and their parasitoids, pest responses to host
plant volatiles and potential mechanisms of plant resistance to attack by
phytophagous insects. Studies will also focus on characterizing insect responses to
plant volatile components and the presence of natural enemies by adopting an
integrated approach to these studies that includes chemical, molecular, entomological
and physiological approaches where necessary.
Developing and improving analytical and bromatological methods to quantify and
identify nutrients and volatile components.
Analyzing data and interpreting the results of laboratory and field experiments.
Writing of technical reports describing methods, procedures and results of particular
studies.
Developing operational guidelines for the maintenance, operation and calibration of
laboratory equipment.
Basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
The candidate will collaborate extensively with other researchers of the Biomimic
cluster in providing chemical ecology related technical support.
Keeping the laboratory equipment in optimal working condition and provide technical
support to the researcher in competing for funding to update and extend the range of
equipment as necessary.
Assisting in training Master's and Doctorate students at INECOL, CIMAV, CIQA,
CICY, LANGEBIO and CINVESTAV Irapuato.
Providing technical support for graduate student projects.
Supervising undergraduate student projects.
Assisting in the technical contribution to publications in high quality scientific journals
and popular magazines intended for the general public.
Help write patents.
Help recruit talents for science and technology among primary, secondary and high
school students.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Entomology or a
closely related discipline.
Experience in the characterization of insect responses to plant derived or insect
derived compounds.
Experience with the chemical analysis of substances using gas chromatography (GC)
and GC-mass spectrometry and other state-of-the-art equipment for chemical
analyses of plant or insect derived substances.
Solid knowledge of statistics applied to chemistry, biology or other pertinent fields.
Experience with established techniques (EAG, olfactometer, wind tunnel responses)
to determine the response of insects to a range of chemical substances derived from
natural or synthetic sources is necessary.
Experience with the use of electroantenography is desirable but not essential.
Experience living and working in Latin America is desirable but not essential.
Fluency or a willingness to learn Spanish, both spoken and written, is required; as are
written and spoken skills in English.
Excellent interpersonal and multitasking skills, ability to negotiate, to deal with
pressure, complex situations and stress.
Willingness to work outside of regular business hours and travel is desirable.
A driving license.
Interested candidates from Mexico and elsewhere in the entire world should send their
updated Curriculum Vitae and additional support material of particular value for members
of the Search Committee (e.g., citation record, relevant awards, narrative of particular
achievements or contributions to science) to Dr. Guillermo Angeles, Secretario Académico
at secretaria.academica@inecol.edu.mx always cc’ing maluja.dirgral@inecol.edu.mx.
Three letters of recommendation are needed as well as the e-mail addresses and
telephones of three established scientists/professors that have agreed to be interviewed
on the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. An additional letter by the candidate
expressing interest in the job, explaining how exactly her/his training/experience fits the job
description, and expressing her/his willingness to strictly adhere to the principles of
collaboration, team working, networking and scientific integrity is also needed. Any
questions should be addressed to Dr. Guillermo Angeles.