Description
Research and Development in Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences Statement of Work Project activities would be carried out at the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinarian Entomology (CMAVE), 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL, under the supervision of Dr. Robert Vander Meer. The required work involves analytical, organic, and biochemical chemistry as applied to insect related chemistry and chemical ecology - specifically fire ants and other invasive ant species. The work relates to specific Unit projects and projects funded by outside sources. Must be able to: Develop new techniques for the delivery, extraction, identification, or manipulation of potential bioactive compounds in the laboratory. Maintain a variety of instruments, including: gas chromatographs, Varian and Agilent (GC), GC-MS (Varian Saturn, Agilent) or FID detectors, and Agilent HPLC with variable wavelength UV/Vis and Mass Selective detectors. Identify volatile compounds from insects with a variety of chromatography procedures including: gas chromatography (GC), GC-MS or FID detectors and column chromatography, including Gravity, TLC, and HPLC). Maintain detailed records of all research activities and provide written summaries, publishable GC trace figures, and appropriate statistical data analysis to supervisory personnel. Knowledge Required The incumbent must possess knowledge of the principles and methods of general entomology, chemical ecology as well as a fundamental knowledge of analytical chemistry. Formal training in chemistry is desirable. In addition, the successful Contractor - Must have: • Knowledge of the principles of scientific methodology and skill in their application. • Skill in the use of analytical equipment including, but not limited to: UV/VIS spectrophotometer, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, thin layer chromatography. • Skill in the use of statistical software for data analysis.