Job Details

he Amphibian Disease Laboratory in the UT Center for Wildlife Health is recruiting one Federal Work Study student as a part-time research technician.  The student will assist with a National Science Foundation funded study that is determining the threat of a recently discovered fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, Bsal) to amphibians. Bsal causes a necrotizing skin disease and has been killing salamanders across Europe, where it was introduced from Asia. Although Bsal has not been detected in the USA, there is grave concern that it will arrive via unregulated trade and spillover to wild populations, where it could decimate native biodiversity.

The student will assist with amphibian care, pathogen exposure experiments, evaluation of gross disease signs, humane euthanasia, and necropsies. In addition, there will be opportunities for the student to learn gDNA extraction, quantitative PCR, fungal culturing, histology, and other laboratory-based pathogen diagnostic techniques. To learn more about our research, visit: https://ag.tennessee.edu/fwf/adl/ .

Requirements: Enrolled in a science-based major at University of Tennessee and have a strong interest to pursue a career in wildlife disease ecology, veterinary medicine or human medicine.  

Preferred qualifications: Previous experience with animal care, humane euthanasia, IACUC and biosafety practices, and microbiological techniques (e.g., pipetting, assays). The student should be able to work independently and outside normal business hours, including weekends.