Seasonal Employee Hourly

The University of Toledo•Toledo, OH

8d•$15

About The Position

The Ecosystem and Soil Ecology Laboratory (ESE) is seeking a seasonal Soils Research Associate with prior laboratory work experience responsible for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural soil samples for the Pilot Watershed Project alongside graduate students and laboratory staff. The research associate will work collaboratively with team members in the laboratory, while managing individual responsibilities to support ongoing research objectives and laboratory operations. The research associate will exhibit technical proficiency in processing soil samples for nutrients and various markers of soil health. They will be responsible for independently conducting analytical measurements, such as soil respiration and loss on ignition, with the latter requiring the use of high‑temperature equipment, including muffle furnaces. They will also perform essential laboratory operations tasks, such as materials preparation, glassware washing, sample labeling, weighing samples, preparing reagents, pipetting samples and solutions, laboratory maintenance, and data entry. The associate will have the opportunity to contribute to data processing and quality assurance/quality control workflows. Additionally, this position will assist in the analysis of samples on instrumentation at the Lake Erie Center in Oregon OH, a 30 min. drive from UToledo’s main campus. This will require reliable transportation to get to and from the Lake Erie Center. The work there includes performing sample dilutions, calibration, and operation of Thermo GC, Shimadzu TOC-L (with added TNM-L and SSM units), and SEAL Analytical AQ700 instruments with limited supervision. This position also involves participating in soil sample collection in Hardin County, Ohio during times of key agricultural activities (such as fall harvest and spring planting). This will require working in longer blocks of time and occasionally full days. Transportation to and from the research sites in Hardin County will be provided. This intermittent call-in position is limited to a maximum of 1000 hours of work per calendar year. Contact Professor Michael Weintraub, [email protected], with questions or for more information about this position.

Requirements

A minimum of one year of college (degree not required) majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or related discipline.
Minimum of 6 months of environmental laboratory experience.
Willingness and ability to learn soil and nutrient analysis procedures.
Must be dependable and follow an agreed upon schedule.
Must be able to work independently and communicate effectively as a team member. Must work well within a small group including, at times, staff/students from collaborating research institutions.
When working in the field, must be able to walk for extended periods on uneven terrain and work in adverse weather conditions (field/safety equipment to be provided). Must be able to carry up to 35-pound equipment when working in the field.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, and reliable personal transportation to the Lake Erie Center.
Commitment to a safe and inclusive working environment required
Effective communication skills (oral and written)
Ability and desire to collaborate with a large multi-institutional collaborative team
Ability to work independently and to make decisions concerning laboratory safety and other logistical factors
Ability to work closely with students, faculty, and other staff to maintain research efficiency of the project.

Responsibilities

Collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural soil samples
Collaborating with team members in the laboratory
Managing individual responsibilities to support ongoing research objectives and laboratory operations
Processing soil samples for nutrients and various markers of soil health
Independently conducting analytical measurements, such as soil respiration and loss on ignition
Performing essential laboratory operations tasks, such as materials preparation, glassware washing, sample labeling, weighing samples, preparing reagents, pipetting samples and solutions, laboratory maintenance, and data entry
Contributing to data processing and quality assurance/quality control workflows
Assisting in the analysis of samples on instrumentation at the Lake Erie Center
Performing sample dilutions, calibration, and operation of Thermo GC, Shimadzu TOC-L (with added TNM-L and SSM units), and SEAL Analytical AQ700 instruments
Participating in soil sample collection in Hardin County, Ohio