Penn State is looking to hire a new researcher who would act as the liaison for Chester County in the fight against the aggressive mushroom flies, writes Vinny Vella for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Last month, the university posted an advertisement for a research technologist on its website. The opening came several months after the school received a $90,000 grant from the state to study and hopefully repel the phorid flies.

According to the job description, the technologist would “provide a link between the research activities ongoing at University Park and the residents and mushroom growers in the Chester County region.”

The position is the first of its kind, as Penn State did not previously have the funding to help communicate directly with affected residents.

Homeowners will be able to speak directly to the researcher, who will try to answer any questions they might have about the insect.

This means “they’ll be more available to listen, observe, and suggest things that are feasible for a homeowner,” said Nina Jenkins, a senior research associate and co-leader of the team studying the flies at Penn State.

Read more about the mushroom flies in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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