OPS Laboratory Technician Position
Location: UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory,
Vero Beach, Florida
Salary: $20 / hour
Available Date: 07/17/2026
Job Description: This position will be responsible for conducting insecticide resistance testing of populations of the Florida mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, etc. in the Buckner lab at UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL) (https://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/e-buckner/). The selected candidate will raise mosquitoes from eggs, perform insecticide resistance testing on mosquito larvae, and record testing results. Additionally, the selected candidate will perform all assigned tasks for any other projects taking place in the Buckner lab, which may be laboratory or semi-field experiments. Performing lab tasks such as counting mosquito eggs using a microscope, cleaning, mailing supplies, and data entry will be expected.
Minimum Requirements: High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Valid Driver’s License. Available to work for 40 hours per week, Monday- Friday. Willingness to work under both laboratory and semi-field conditions. Willingness to work with mosquitoes and potentially be exposed to mosquito bites daily. Must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, quick to pick up new tasks, and a team player. Must submit to a background check.
Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a scientific field. 1-2 years of research experience, especially related to mosquitoes. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience preparing chemical solutions and working with micropipettes. Computer skills: knowledge of Microsoft Office and other relevant computer programs. Analytical and numerical skills: ability to perform mathematical calculations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) in different units of measurement; ability to use concepts such as fractions, percentages, and ratios. Excellent organizational skills.
Employment Conditions: This contract-funded position is available July 17, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Any potential for this position to be extended beyond June 30, 2027 will depend on funding availability at that time. OPS Employees do not receive benefits, including no paid sick leave, holidays, or vacation.
Background Information: The UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory is located on a 38-acre campus, much of which is comprised of native Florida coastal hammock habitat, 5 miles south of downtown Vero Beach, Florida. Faculty and staff at the UF/IFAS FMEL perform research on diverse topics related to human/animal pathogens and their arthropod vectors. UF/IFAS FMEL facilities include Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratories, shop facilities, an animal holding and rearing facility, comprehensive computing equipment, a vehicle pool, and mosquito rearing facilities. Current laboratory staff includes 11 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and ca. 20 support personnel. (http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu)
The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 53,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu), the Florida Sea Grant program (http://www.flseagrant.org/ ), and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. IFAS employs over 2500 people, which includes approximately 900 faculty and 1200 support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Senior Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
