*Position*: Seasonal Field Technician in Ecology *Project*: Effects of floral resource dynamics on bumblebee colonies and populations
*Location*: University of California Davis *Employer*: University of California Davis *Dates*: Mar 27 to Aug 4 *Pay*: $15.46 per hour (Lab Assistant 1) *Application Deadline:** March 10th, 2017 (we encourage early submissions)* *We are seeking:* a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual to work as a *full-time field technician from Mar 27 to August 4 at the University of California at Davis* on an NSF-funded project exploring the effects of resource dynamics on bumble bee colony and population dynamics. This project is collaboratively run by Neal Williams (UC Davis) and Elizabeth Crone (Tufts University). The technician will be based in the Williams lab <https://polleneaters.wordpress.com/>at UC Davis and will work closely with 3 other team members, including two postdoctoral researchers. *Project Background: *In the past decade, there has been a groundswell of interest in the effects of landscape change on pollinator populations and communities, especially those of bees. This interest is fueled by concerns over pollinator declines and implications for plant pollination globally. Bumblebees are a particularly important group of social insect pollinators that are also of conservation concern. We are exploring how resource dynamics affect colony-level demography and foraging dynamics of *Bombus vosnesenskii*. To do this, we are carrying out a field experiment in which colonies are exposed to different resource conditions – some will be given supplemental food resources, while others will have access only to ambient resources in the local environment. We are tracking the weights of all experimental colonies across the season, and will also be collecting pollen samples from individual bees as they return to the nest. Up to 48 colonies will be placed across 12 field sites that are located up to 1.5 driving hours from the UC Davis campus. Most sites require no more than an hour of driving to access. A University vehicle will be available for the technician to use for fieldwork. *Qualifications:* The field technician will participate in all aspects of data collection for this field experiment. Employee must be willing to drive multiple hours in a day to access field sites and to move between field sites. Responsibilities will include weighing live colonies and handling live bees. Previous experience conducting field research (through employment and/or education) is required. Individual must be capable of working outdoors in the summer heat and comfortable working with live bee colonies. Applicants must be willing to work independently and as a part of a team. Excellent organizational skills are a must. Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. See official job posting <https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=335522> for further details. *TO APPLY: *Your official application, to include a cover letter and 1-2 page resume, should be submitted through UC Davis (*Requisition # <https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=335522>**03018517 <https://www.employment.ucdavis.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=335522>* ). Cover letter should convey specific relevant research experience and describe interest in the current project. If you have questions about the position, please contact Rosemary Malfi (postdoc) by email: [email protected]. -- Rosemary L. Malfi, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar Department of Entomology University of California, Davis [email protected]
