Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University invites applications for an 11-month tenure-track faculty position in arthropod physiology at the rank of Assistant Professor with a work assignment of 80% research & 20% teaching. Applications are encouraged from individuals with training/interests in the interaction of blood feeding arthropods with their hosts, focusing on the physiology of the arthropod. Preference will be given to candidates who have research experience with ticks and whose research complements ongoing research programs at Oklahoma State University. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research program, to work with multi-disciplinary teams directed toward management of arthropods in production agriculture and/or public health and contribute to the animal enterprise team of the DASNR 21st Century Initiative. Teaching responsibilities will include one four-hour undergraduate/graduate insect physiology course offered every other year, one undergraduate introductory entomology course, and advisement of graduate students. Applicants must have an earned doctorate in entomology, insect physiology, or a closely related field and have the background to teach introduction to entomology. Postdoctoral experience in functional genomic approaches to study arthropod physiology and demonstration of the ability to obtain extramural funding are preferred. Laboratory and office space, research equipment, start-up funds, a full time 3-year technician position, and access to the OSU Tick Rearing Facility will be provided.

Applications should include the following: (1) letter of application stating reasons for interest in this position and qualifications, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research and teaching interests, (4) official university transcripts noting date of terminal (Ph.D.) degree, and (5) the names and contact information of four references. This information should be sent to:

Dr. Jack Dillwith
Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology
127 Noble Research Center
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-9405
fax: 405-744-6039
email: jwd9890@okstate.edu

Review of applications will begin November 21, 2005, but applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.

Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to multicultural diversity.

RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
www.ars.usda.gov

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Announcement Number: ARS-D5S-0286 (Demo)Position Title/Series/Grade:Biological Science Technician (Insects)GS-0404-07/08/09Promotion Potential: GS-09Employment Type: Full time—Term, Not-to Exceed two years (This appointment may be extended up to an additional two years without further competition)Grade and Salary Range: GS-07 $35,693 – $46,402 per yearGS-08 $39,529 – $51,383 per yearGS-09 $43,660 – $56,755 per yearLocation of Position:Invasive Plant Research LaboratoryFort Lauderdale, FloridaWho Can Apply: All U.S. Citizens (You must include a statement in your application that you are a U.S. citizen to be considered for this position)Opening Date: September 19, 2005Closing Date: October 3, 2005For copies of vacancy announcements and/or application materials, please call (301) 504-1482. For additional information regarding employment opportunities, please visit http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/jobs/apply.htm. Contact InformationHuman Resources Specialist: Jennifer Gilman (301) 504-1568Location Contact Information: Susan Keusch(954) 475-6541DC Relay Service: (202) 855-1234 (TDD)Send Applications to:USDA, Agricultural Research ServiceHuman Resources DivisionAttn: Jennifer Gilman 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Stop 5105Beltsville, MD 20705-5105Fax: (301) 504-1535E-mail: scirecruit@ars.usda.govApplications must be postmarked, e-mailed or faxed by the closing date of the announcement. Applications received in Government envelopes will not be considered. Please take advantage of the Application Package Checklist at the end of this announcement to ensure your application is complete. For information about the organization and location, visit the location's website at http://www.ars-grin.gov/ars/SoAtlantic/FtLauderdale/awcru.htm
Applications will also be accepted from USDA Surplus and Federal Displaced Employees in the commuting area.

Major Duties:
The primary mission of the Invasive Plant Research Laboratory is to conduct basic and applied research in the development of environmentally safe and effective strategies to control or manage invasive weeds that interfere with the utilization of natural resources. This particular position provides technical support for the research project involving the exploration, acquisition, development, deployment, and evaluation of foreign beneficial arthropods for the biological control of invasive plants in the Southeastern United States. This position takes place in laboratory, field, and greenhouse settings:

· Assists, contributes, and participates in the planning and sequencing of one or more phases of the research process.
· Collects, prepares, maintains, and evaluates field samples for use in research.
· Establishes and maintains insect cultures and plants for the use in research studies.
· Conducts host testing of potential biological control agents in quarantine.
· Programs, maintains, calibrates, and operates specialized equipment and automated systems used for test and evaluation procedures (i.e. electronic balances, photographic microscopes, global positioning systems (GPS), etc.)
· Adapts, modifies, and develops a wide array of routine and recurring techniques and studies using a variety of highly specialized complex equipment.
· Maintains, compiles, and statistically analyzes experimental data using a personal computer and associated spreadsheet software (MS Excel) and data analysis software (SAF).
· Documents research findings through charts, graphs, and reports using a personal computer and associated software (SigmaPlot).
· Searches literature for pertinent research for new procedures or techniques.
· Maintains inventory of chemicals and prepares solutions and reagents and disposes of waste material.
Qualifications Required: Your education and experience will be evaluated against all qualification requirements (basic and any additional requirements) listed below.

Basic Requirements

GS-07: One year of specialized experience (as defined by the KSA’s) equivalent to at least the
GS-06 level OR one full year of directly related graduate level education.

GS-08: One year of specialized experience (as defined by the KSA’s) equivalent to at least the GS-07 level OR one and a half years of directly related graduate education.

GS-09: One year of specialized experience (as defined by the KSA’s) equivalent to at least the GS-08 level OR two years of directly related graduate education or a master’s degree.
If qualifying all or in part based on your education, please submit a copy of your college transcripts OR a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. If your qualifications are based in any part on education and you are selected for this position, you will have to provide an official copy of your academic transcripts prior to entering on duty.

Specialized Experience - experience which has equipped you with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) required to perform the duties of this position:
1. Skill in the technical methods and procedures of entomology (i.e. insect physiology, insect ecology, insect behavior).
2. Ability to operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment and instruments (i.e. electronic balances, photographic microscopes, global positioning systems (GPS), etc.)
3. Ability to collect, statistically analyze, and summarize experimental data.
Additional Requirements:

A valid motor vehicle operators license is required.
Other Important Information

Benefits Package:
A Benefits Package is authorized for this position. Additional information about Federal benefits can be obtained at www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.htm.

Veteran’s Preference:
For further details, call the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 478-757-3000 or TDD 478-744-2299. Select General Information on the Federal Employment Policies and Procedures, and then Veterans Preference and Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans. Visit their VetGuide website at http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

Relocation Expenses:
Payment of relocation expenses will be determined in accordance with P&P 412.5, Recruitment and Retention Incentives and Other Special Pay, Sections 6 and 7, as amended by Bulletin 03-402, which may be found at: http://www.afm.ars.usda.gov/hrd/staffing_recruit/reloweb.htm.

Financial Disclosure Requirement:
Federal employees are subject to prohibitions against officially dealing with outside organizations in which they have a financial interest. You may be required to submit a financial disclosure report if hired for this position.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – LIVESTOCK ENTOMOLOGIST
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University is seeking an Assistant Professor (75% Extension, 25% Research) to develop a dynamic and responsive extension and research program focused on managing arthropod pests of livestock production enterprises. This is an eleven month, tenure-track appointment that will be housed in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

The successful candidate will be expected to: deliver effective educational programs in livestock pest management to county educators, area specialists, producers and allied industry personnel; provide curricula, training and support for extension educators and area specialists; develop extramural support for research and extension IPM programs on livestock pests; develop extension publications and presentations that provide current information regarding management of other key pests affecting human and animal health problems (e.g. fire ants, mosquitoes, bees, wasps and ticks); contribute to the animal enterprise team of the DASNR 21st Century Initiative; work closely with other research and extension teams and allied agencies such as the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to develop team approaches for executing educational programs related to arthropods that affect human and animal health; and develop an extramurally-funded, applied, research component that complements the extension program.

Collaborative opportunities exist with a strong team of animal scientists, rangeland ecologists, veterinarians and other professionals across the university. Support for this position includes access to modern laboratories, livestock and livestock facilities near campus. All facilities are staffed with trained personnel experienced in dealing with problems related to arthropod pests of economic importance to beef cattle. In addition, these field laboratories house one of the largest tick-rearing facilities in the nation.

Applicants for this position must have an earned doctorate in entomology or a related field and preference will be given to those possessing a sound background in economic entomology and experience in livestock pest management. Applications should include the following: (1) letter of application stating reasons for interest in this position and qualifications, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) statement of research and teaching interests, (4) official university transcripts noting date of terminal (Ph.D.) degree, and (5) the names and contact information of four references. This information should be sent to:

Dr. Phillip G. Mulder, Jr.
Dept. of Entomology and Plant Pathology
127 Noble Research Center
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078-3033
Phone: (405) 744-9413
Email: philmul@okstate.edu

Review of applications will begin November 21, 2005; however, applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.

Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer
committed to multicultural diversity.