Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

Estimated Pay: $16.50 per hour

Number of Jobs Available: 1

Schedule: Day. Flexible, part-time hours scheduled M-F between 9am and 5pm

Location: Louis A Stearns Laboratory, 501 S Chapel St, Newark, DE

About the department / center:

Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Role Description:

The lab of Xingeng Wang at the USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit is looking for help conducting laboratory and field research on invasive insect species and the beneficial parasitoids that help to control them. We are interested in hiring an undergraduate part-time research assistant to work in our lab. We have some flexibility in hours per week and would like someone who will be available to continue working over the summer months. This is a paid position. Research technicians will be required to work with live insects and potentially spend time outdoors collecting samples. The invasive species we work with include spotted lanternfly and spotted wing drosophila.

Primary Responsibilities:

· Sorting Samples

· Caring for live insect colonies

· Field collection

· Data entry

Qualifications:

· Optional: Biology or science major or course work, preferably some entomology experience

Note: USDA requires additional security screening above and beyond typical University of Delaware background checks, including fingerprinting. The timeline for this process is variable but can take weeks to months.

Hiring Timeline:

Application Review: March 10-20

Interviews: March 20-27

Offers Extended: March 20-April 7

Please note that dates are subject to change depending on the needs of the department.

Applicants must be undergraduate students at the University of Delaware. Work study eligibility can be found here. Applicants who are not enrolled as undergraduate students at the University will not be considered for this position. Employment Limitations and Exceptions