Research Scientist 3

University of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

2d•$4,278 - $5,145•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Biology is seeking a highly qualified technician to be hired as Field Research Scientist III. The candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of 6-9 long running (since 2007) eddy flux towers in Central New Mexico that are being used to increase our understanding of how ecosystem structure and function vary across elevation gradients in the Southwestern US. The towers are distributed across six common ecosystems in the Southwestern U.S.: desert grassland and shrubland, juniper savanna, pinon-juniper woodland and high elevation ponderosa pine and subalpine coniferous forests. The candidate will maintain the instrumentation and infrastructure of these tower flux systems and work with an interdisciplinary group of faculty, postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate researchers to make additional physiological and ecological field measurements associated with this project. The candidate will participate in data management, data quality assurance, and the preparation of peer-reviewed publications of research findings. In addition, this position will involve leading and guiding a field crew in the summer. Candidates with strong hands-on technical and problem-solving skills, a background in electronics and programming, experience hiking and operating in rugged outdoor conditions, and backgrounds related to ecosystem ecology, hydrology or micrometeorology are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Albuquerque at UNM Biology and will require frequent day travel to field sites and occasional overnight trips. The position is initially available for 12 months and renewable on a year-to-year basis for two or more additional years.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
At least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Strong hands-on technical and problem-solving skills.
Background in electronics and programming.
Experience hiking and operating in rugged outdoor conditions.
Backgrounds related to ecosystem ecology, hydrology or micrometeorology.
Ability to climb towers ranging in height from 10-130 ft.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience operating safely in remote and rugged terrain.
Wilderness first aid training.
Demonstrated technical understanding of electronics and electricity.
A background in engineering is desirable.
Demonstrated experience with computer programming.
Matlab or R programming languages are preferred.
Demonstrated ability to work at heights in a safe manner.
Demonstrated experience with basic construction tools such as hand saw, table saw, cordless drills, etc.
Previous experience with instruments common to eddy covariance towers and related systems is preferred.
Demonstrated proficiency with Campbell datalogger programming and data retrieval, interface with multiplexers and sensors.
Demonstrated proficiency with eddy covariance instrumentation, and ecophysiological field instrumentation.
Experience with LiCor 7500 and/or 7200 photosynthesis infra-red gas analyzers, basic micrometeorology sensors, soil water content, temperature and carbon dioxide probes.
Demonstrated experience managing, summarizing, and archiving field and laboratory data.
Demonstrated organizational skills and experience with student supervision in a field setting to complete ecological protocols, data entry, and quality control.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the day-to-day operation of eddy flux towers.
Maintain the instrumentation and infrastructure of tower flux systems.
Work with an interdisciplinary group of researchers to make additional physiological and ecological field measurements.
Participate in data management, data quality assurance, and the preparation of peer-reviewed publications.
Lead and guide a field crew in the summer.