Research Assistant Senior

• 504011
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Post Doctoral
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at:
  Sep 9 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact: Kathy Hanley, , khanley

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising

Summary:

The Department of Biology is seeking applicants for a Research Assistant III.

Position Title: Research Assistant Senior

College/Division: Arts and Sciences College

Department: 330350-BIOLOGY

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard

Work Schedule:

Standard (M-F, 8-5)

• Conducts statewide field surveillance for mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary importance using established collection methods and surveillance protocols.
• Deploys, operates, retrieves, cleans, and maintains mosquito traps and other vector surveillance equipment at designated field sites throughout New Mexico.
• Collects, labels, preserves, transports, and processes mosquito and other arthropod specimens in accordance with established protocols and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Records accurate field data, including collection location, date, trapping method, environmental conditions, specimen information, and other relevant surveillance variables.
• Identifies mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors to appropriate taxonomic levels using morphological identification keys, microscopy, and established identification procedures.
• Sorts, counts, and prepares mosquito specimens and pools for laboratory testing and long-term storage.
• Performs routine laboratory procedures for detection of vector-borne viruses and other pathogens, including specimen homogenization, nucleic acid extraction, PCR and RT-PCR, and related molecular diagnostic techniques.
• Prepares laboratory reagents, solutions, controls, specimens, and other materials required for vector and pathogen testing.
• Operates, calibrates, cleans, and performs routine maintenance of laboratory and field equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer specifications.
• Follows established quality‑assurance and quality‑control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of field, laboratory, and surveillance data.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of specimens, laboratory procedures, test results, equipment use, and other research and surveillance activities.
• Enters, reviews, validates, and maintains vector surveillance and laboratory testing data in electronic databases and other data‑management systems.
• Assists with organization, analysis, interpretation, and visualization of surveillance data, including preparation of tables, figures, maps, and summaries of vector abundance, distribution, seasonality, and pathogen detection.
• Compiles field and laboratory results and assists with preparation of surveillance reports, technical reports, research presentations, manuscripts, posters, and other scientific communications.
• Communicates surveillance findings, unusual observations, positive pathogen detections, data‑quality concerns, and technical problems to supervisory research personnel.
• Maintains inventories of field and laboratory supplies and assists with ordering, receiving, organizing, and maintaining materials required for surveillance activities.
• Follows established laboratory safety, biosafety, chemical safety, biological waste disposal, and field safety procedures and maintains required safety documentation.
• Assists with implementation of standardized surveillance protocols…