Seasonal Employee Hourly
About The Position
The Ecosystem and Soil Ecology Laboratory (ESE) is seeking a research assistant to provide support in processing and analyzing soil samples for the Coastal Observations, Measurements, and Predictions Across Systems and Scales (COMPASS) Research Project. The research assistant will work closely with lab staff and graduate students in the laboratory, processing soil samples for nutrients, various soil characteristics, and soil microbial enzymes. They will be responsible for professional laboratory-based tasks such as materials preparation, washing glassware, sample labeling, weighing samples, preparing reagents, pipetting samples and solutions, laboratory maintenance, and data entry. In this position, research assistants will assist in the analysis of samples on instrumentation at the Lake Erie Center in Oregon OH, a 30-minute drive from UToledo’s main campus. Work at Lake Erie will require performing sample dilutions and calibrating instruments with limited supervision following training. Training will be provided for all responsibilities but transportation to Lake Erie Center will not be provided. Research assistants are expected to aid in processing soil samples from quarterly sampling campaigns upon field crew return. Opportunity for involvement in field work at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for this position per applicant interest is available but is not required. This 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
- High school diploma or GED
- 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.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Prior coursework in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or related discipline preferred (bachelor’s degree not required).
Responsibilities
- processing soil samples for nutrients, various soil characteristics, and soil microbial enzymes
- materials preparation
- washing glassware
- sample labeling
- weighing samples
- preparing reagents
- pipetting samples and solutions
- laboratory maintenance
- data entry
- assist in the analysis of samples on instrumentation at the Lake Erie Center
- performing sample dilutions
- calibrating instruments
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
