Research Specialist in Life Sciences - Carl R. Woese Institute Genomic Biology

Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) is an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, built on a team-science approach. Its mission is to advance life sciences research, engage the public in understanding the impact of genomic discoveries, and foster bioeconomic development across Illinois. IGB researchers lead groundbreaking genomic studies that tackle critical societal challenges in food security, energy, health, technology, and environmental sustainability.

The institute’s administrative infrastructure is designed to support dynamic research themes, enabling them to evolve with emerging discoveries, innovative methods, and changing needs.

This position will manage a state‑of‑the‑art bee research facility, providing research training to student researchers, maintaining healthy honeybee colonies, monitoring and recording health metrics, and overseeing the apiary operations for multiple honeybee researchers. This person will also participate in public engagement and scientific outreach.

• Maintain approximately 50–100 healthy honeybee colonies.
• Monitor and record colony health metrics, including population strength, queen status, disease and pest levels, and productivity.
• Implement best practices for nutrition, disease prevention, and seasonal management.
• Drive university vehicle between apiaries to maintain honeybee colonies.
• Train undergraduate and graduate students in safe and effective beekeeping practices.
• Assist in planning, setting up, and execution of research experiments involving honeybees.
• Provide guidance on data collection protocols and field logistics.
• Follow established beekeeping safety protocols to ensure safe handling of hives and equipment.
• Maintain bee research facilities through routine upkeep, repairs, and small‑scale construction projects.
• Ensure safe, functional, and compliant work spaces for field and laboratory activities.
• Coordinate equipment and infrastructure needs with research staff.
• Develop and deliver educational materials and programs for public and stakeholder audiences.
• Support outreach events that promote pollinator health and research impacts.
• Maintain and repair beekeeping equipment.
• Plan, manage, and document the annual honey harvest, including processing and storage.
• Foster effective working relationships among bee research personnel.
• Serve as a liaison between research staff and principal investigators.
• Address and help resolve interpersonal or operational conflicts.

Environmental Demands:
Some hours during the warmer months spent outdoors in variable weather conditions. Work may be required on nights, weekends, and holidays. Must wear protective clothing such as veils, gloves, and bee suits. Must also properly use bee smokers and other hive tools to safely access the hives.

Bachelor’s Degree required. Experience in beekeeping, including knowledge and ability to identify and treat problems related to bee diseases, pests, and predators. Operate company vehicle to travel between job sites and apiaries (valid driver’s license required).

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Biology, Entomology, or other Life Sciences field. Alternate degree fields may be considered with equivalent and relevant experience.
• Experience in the handling and/or fabrication of beekeeping equipment.
• Experience in woodworking or fabrication of specialized equipment.
• Experience in queen rearing and pest management.
• Experience in field and/or laboratory research.
• Experience in scientific outreach.

• Familiarity with a great number of hive implements and equipment used in beekeeping.
• Knowledge of beekeeping safety protocols, including proper use of protective equipment and safe hive handling practices.
• Ability to rear queens and run a successful queen rearing operation from start to finish.
• Ability to identify flower blooms and honey flows in order to understand possible changes in experiments due to changes in environment.
• Familiarity with risk prevention and emergency response…