Technical Aide

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides technical support. Responsibilities may include computer programming or operations; research support; medical patient care; technical equipment maintenance, repair, fabrication or operation; or other technical support functions.

Unit Position Summary

This is a Temporary/Seasonal position working 40 hours per week, Aug-Oct 2026.
The primary role of this position is to assist with data collection in Dr. Nick Haddad’s lab . The position will be based at MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) in Hickory Corners, MI, and will collect data from a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) research site in Allegan, MI.

This position will assist with field work including, but not necessarily limited to: conducting visual surveys of pollinators, capturing insects using hand nets, deploying and collecting pitfall traps, and surveying Michigan prairie plant species. Driving will be required, as the field site is 45 miles from KBS.

The position will also assist with some laboratory work including, but not necessarily limited to: preparing field supplies, sorting and identifying insect specimens under a microscope, preserving insects for specimen collections, and basic data management.

Dr. Haddad’s research centers around the conservation of biodiversity with emphasis on insects. Many of the projects in this lab focus on strategies to mitigate the effects of habitat loss and landscape homogeneity, such as creating landscape corridors to connect habitat patches or reintroducing native plants to agricultural systems to increase biodiversity and promote ecosystem services. Read more about Dr. Haddad’s research here: https://nickhaddadlab.com/.

Desired Qualifications

This position requires some coursework in Ecology, Biology, or a related field. Strong preference for candidates with experience identifying Michigan insects and flower species. Insect groups to identify include but are not limited to butterflies, bees, and ants. Need to be comfortable identifying insects both in the field and under a microscope (training provided). Candidates must be punctual, organized, motivated, and able to work independently. Must be prepared to work outdoors 2-8 hours per day in various weather conditions, often full sun. The field site is 45 miles from KBS, so candidates must be able to drive 2+ hours on field days.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

CV or resume

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

www.kbs.msu.edu

Summary of Health Risks

Heat related injury is possible during the summer. We often work closely with stinging insects (ants, bees, and wasps) and sometimes encounter injurious plants (i.e. poison ivy, stinging nettle) in the field.

Summary of Physical Demands

This position may occasionally include lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing 25 pounds or more. The position also requires a lot of walking, often on uneven terrain.