Research Associate Department of Entomology College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences Ithaca, NY
College Description:
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is
a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second
largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines
to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education
and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three
overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental
resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. CALS is
fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and
their communities both in New York state and around the world.
Summary:
A research associate
position is available in the laboratory of Scott McArt at Cornell University
(Ithaca, NY, USA). This Research
Associate will be responsible for the quantification of small molecules via
HPLC-MS and managing the day-to-day activities in the Cornell Chemical Ecology
Core Facility (CCECF; https://blogs.cornell.edu/ccecf/). Activities include overseeing a part-time
analytical chemist technician, operating the HPLC-MS for small molecule
analysis, regular maintenance, budgeting, billing, and interacting with users
about methods and interpretation. Work effort and responsibilities will be
split between McArt’s laboratory in the Department of Entomology (75%) and the
CCECF (25%), which share physical space.
Job
Description/Position Function:
Pollinator-Pesticide Exposure Research (75%):
The individual will
perform chemical extraction and analysis of environmental samples (e.g.,
pollen, wax, bees) to assess the of pollinators to pesticides in multiple
application contexts. A multi-residue HPLC-MS pesticide analysis method
currently exists, which will be expanded and optimized. Additional
possibilities exist to use GC-MS and/or LC-HRMS depending on availability of
machinery and skills of the applicant.
Additional responsibilities
will include managing a user-service HPLC-MS machine (Thermo TSQ Quantis), open
to a collaborative community of chemical ecologists within and outside of
Cornell. This latter work will involve analysis of plant/insect hormones, plant
secondary chemistry, pesticide residues, and method development for new
chemicals that users wish to quantify.
The Research Associate
will contribute substantially to research and scholarly activities including
designing experiments and protocols, statistical analyses, and writing of
grants and manuscripts for publication in collaboration with the PI. The
Research Associate will also collaborate on research projects with postdoctoral
associates, graduate and undergraduate researchers in the lab, in an effort to
generate publishable results with trainees and students as lead authors or
co-authors.
Publication, presentation, and reporting (20%): The successful candidate will work with the PI to
analyze and publish results from the laboratory in peer reviewed journals, and
will provide understandable summaries of data and statistical tests to the PI
when requested.
Supervision and Administration (5%): The research associate will:
-
Supervise
undergraduate students in basic analytical chemistry techniques and sample preparation.
Approval of hours when appropriate to work-study;
-
Be responsible
for supervision of analytical equipment (HPLC-MS, tissue homogenizer, nitrogen
evaporator, etc.) and will create equitable schedules for the use and
maintenance of this equipment by graduate students and (when applicable)
undergraduate researchers.
Term of position:
This is a full-time (40 hours/week)
position and will be located in (Ithaca, New York). This is a (one-year)
appointment with possible extension depending on funding and performance.
Required
Qualifications:
-
PhD in chemistry,
biochemistry, ecology/evolutionary biology, or other closely related, relevant
field;
-
Demonstrated
experience in analytical chemistry;
-
Prior experience
with HPLC-MS or related technologies;
-
Experience
managing students in research settings.
Preferred
Qualifications:
-
Prior experience with HPLC-MS, GC-MS, HRMS, NMR or related technologies
to identify and quantify pesticides and/or natural products from insects,
plants, fungi, microbes or other environmental samples;
-
Training in experimental design and statistical data analysis, with
strong writing skills demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Salary: commensurate with experience
Application
Instructions: Interested applicants should submit a CV, letter of interest, research
statement (1-2 pages max), contact information for 3 references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity, and
inclusion via Academic Jobs Online at
the following link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18291. Deadline for
applications is 04/15/2021. If you have
questions about this position, please email shm33@cornell.edu.
College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences
Life. Changing.
Employment Assistance:
For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu. Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu. Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant. EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
Pay Ranges: The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
- Prior relevant work or industry experience.
- Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
- Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
- Unique applicable skills.
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