Job Title: Entomologist I
Job Description
The Entomologist I supports the biological sciences team in developing and testing indoor and outdoor insect repellent, attractant, and control products. This role focuses on designing and executing entomological assays, generating robust and consistent data to guide product development decisions. The Entomologist I collaborates closely with colleagues in marketing, formulation, and regulatory functions, maintains accurate experimental records, and adheres to established standard operating procedures and safety guidelines. Work is primarily conducted in a laboratory setting, with occasional field experiments at locations within the St. Louis region.
Responsibilities
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Conduct high-quality laboratory and field experiments to evaluate insect repellent, attractant, and control products, ensuring that all trials are carefully planned and executed.
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Set up and take down entomological assays, including preparing test arenas, handling test materials, and ensuring that all experimental conditions are properly controlled.
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Work comfortably with common urban and outdoor pest insects and arthropods, such as cockroaches, spiders, flies, ants, and other relevant species, following appropriate handling and containment procedures.
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Prepare and administer experimental chemical treatments according to product label instructions and internal protocols, prioritizing worker safety and environmental protection at all times.
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Collect both quantitative and qualitative data during experiments, ensuring accurate measurement, observation, and documentation of insect behavior and product performance.
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Maintain an up-to-date, detailed laboratory notebook that records experimental designs, procedures, observations, and results in a clear and organized manner.
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Follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory practices, and safety guidelines related to chemical handling, insect care, and equipment use.
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Collaborate closely with entomology colleagues and cross-functional project teams, including marketing, formulation, and regulatory partners, to understand project needs and align assay designs with product development goals.
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Assist in the development and refinement of entomological assays that provide robust, reproducible data to support decision-making for current and future products.
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Contribute to routine data entry, data verification, and basic data analysis to ensure consistency, reliability, and usability of experimental results.
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Support ongoing maintenance of laboratory resources, including insect colonies, test materials, and equipment, to ensure readiness for scheduled experiments.
Essential Skills
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2–5 years of entomology experience in an industry setting with a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent entomology experience in an academic setting with a master’s or PhD.
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Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Entomology, Agricultural Sciences, or a closely related field, or approximately 5 years of relevant work experience in entomology or biological sciences.
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Demonstrated entomological and experimental expertise, including designing and conducting assays involving insect control products.
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Comfort and proficiency working with common urban and outdoor pest insects and arthropods, such as cockroaches, spiders, flies, ants, and similar species.
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Experience preparing and administering chemical treatments in accordance with product label instructions and safety protocols.
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Strong ability to collect, record, and manage quantitative and qualitative data with attention to accuracy and consistency.
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Skill in maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks and documentation that clearly capture experimental procedures and results.
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Ability to follow standard operating procedures and laboratory safety guidelines, particularly in relation to chemical handling and insect management.
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Effective collaboration skills for working with entomology colleagues and cross-functional project teams.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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Understanding of urban, medical, or veterinary entomology is a plus and supports work with a variety of pest species and use scenarios.
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Applied research experience, particularly in product-focused or solution-driven environments, is preferred.
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Experience conducting entomological assays on insect control products in an industry setting is highly desirable.
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Experience with routine data collection, data entry, and basic analysis to support consistent and reliable experimental outcomes.
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Experience in experimental design and statistical thinking for interpreting assay results is beneficial.
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Ability to communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Work Environment
This role is primarily based in a laboratory environment, with most duties carried out at a dedicated biological sciences laboratory in the Earth City area and occasional experiments conducted at other locations within the St. Louis region. The work involves regular handling and observation of common urban and outdoor pest insects and arthropods, as well as the preparation and application of insect control products under controlled conditions. Standard laboratory equipment, entomological test arenas, and computer systems for data collection and entry are used routinely. The position follows established safety protocols for chemical handling, insect containment, and personal protective equipment, promoting a culture of safety and scientific rigor. Working hours are generally aligned with standard laboratory and project schedules, with flexibility as needed to support experiments and field trials.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Earth City, MO.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $58.00 - $70.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a fully onsite position in Earth City,MO.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 20, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
