The Scientific Research Specialist CL2 will be responsible for conducting field and laboratory work associated with the UMaine Extension Tick Lab / AGGL. During the fieldwork season, the Scientific Research Specialist CL2 will travel throughout the state of Maine to collect biological specimens primarily consisting of ticks, mosquitoes, and small mammal tissues. Outside of the fieldwork season the Scientific Research Specialist CL2 will process and test samples in the AGGL using molecular biology techniques and assist with other related research projects. Full-time, soft-money funded, 40 hours per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday – Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $20.28/hour, or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement. Job Description (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hq6XTFejMyG19kcRMdIgoSsJ8BKKecir/view?usp=sharing) About the University: The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism (https://themainehighlands.com/places-to-visit/greater-bangor-region/) to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer. Qualifications: Required: + Bachelor's Degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field + Minimum of 1 year of experience collecting tick samples in the field using scientifically validated methods + Minimum of 1 year of experience working with molecular diagnostic technologies including PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, and DNA sequencing in a high-throughput molecular diagnostic laboratory + Experience with DNA / RNA extractions in a high-throughput environment, particularly using the Roche MagNAPure 96 automated extraction platform + Minimum of 1 year of experience conducting qPCR and RT-qPCR assays using an Applied Biosystems Quantstudio 5 + Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills, particularly with undergraduate students + Demonstrated experience in prioritizing and managing a workload of testing procedures and samples + Collaborative work skills with colleagues and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities + Work schedule flexibility depending upon the needs of ongoing projects, including overnight camping and navigation in remote areas Preferred: + Knowledge of University of Maine Cooperative Extension and its educational programs + Experience with Cooperative Extension’s diagnostic services + Experience with vehicle operation in off-road settings and / or remote locations + Experience with GPS and GIS technologies + Experience with the generation and analysis of DNA sequence data + Experience working with diverse audiences; knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion; and understanding of equal opportunity, affirmative action and civil rights policies + Wilderness First Aid certification Other Information: To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below: 1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position 2.) a resume/curriculum vitae Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University. For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on June 30, 2025. For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Tom Rounsville, thomas.rounsville@maine.edu. The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening. In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). Clery Act The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://umaine.edu/police/clery-annual-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.