Temporary Summer Research Assistant

Woodwell Climate Research Center Inc • College, AK

1d • $700 • Onsite

About The Position

Join Woodwell’s Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EvoME) project as a Temporary Summer Research Assistant in stream ecosystem ecology contributing to the EvoME Institute [https://www.woodwellclimate.org/project/evolving-meta-ecosystems-institute/]. We are looking for a broadly trained ecologist to lead research on stream/riparian ecosystem responses to environmental change such as species composition changes (aquatic and terrestrial), litter inputs and decomposition, metabolism, nutrient uptake and trophic subsidies.  Our cross-disciplinary research investigates multiple species’ responses to changes in river and streamside willows in Arctic environments by conducting landscape surveys and large-scale experiments across a thermal/genomic gradient of 300 miles from the Yukon River to the Arctic Coastal plain.

Requirements

• Willing to live at field sites (Arctic Alaska at Toolik Field Station in North Slope AK, or camping) for extended periods (up to 3 months)
• Experience with diverse aquatic sampling techniques (e.g., stream discharge, metabolism experiments, TASSC additions, soil samples, weather station)
• Experience in chemical lab analysis of carbon and nitrogen, nutrients, % organic matter, chlorophyll, etc
• Willing to travel via foot, truck, plane, helicopter, or boat; work long/unusual schedules; camp in remote Alaska with a team of five
• Ability to hike long distances (5-8 miles) over rough terrain carrying up to 40 pounds of field equipment and field gear
• Ability to lift, push, pull up to 10 times/day and carry up to 40 lbs for up to 5-8 miles
• Self-motivated leader with critical thinking skills; works independently and collaboratively
• Possesses or willing to develop technical computer based skills (statistics,  stream metabolism modeling, database management, lab/field techniques, R code, possibly Python)
• Engages in data analysis, poster presentations and journal article writing with the team
• Experienced in quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, and database management
• Organizes and enters field data into spatial/tabular databases
• Experience with stream ecosystem research and eco-evolutionary interactions
• Professional, respectful communicator with team members, communities, landowners, and agencies
• Bachelor’s degree ecology, biology, ecosystem science, natural resources, data science or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience or
• Masters degree ecology, biology, ecosystem science, natural resources, data science
• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate
• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
• Ability to use phone and computers
• Repetitive movements
• Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings/event
• Ability to work in variable (snow, rain, high and low temperatures) weather conditions in remote locations, often under physically demanding circumstances.
• Valid driver’s license, a safe driving record and must qualify to drive government vehicles.
• Ability to hike long distances (5-8 miles) over rough terrain carrying up to 40 pounds of field equipment and field gear.
• Willingness to work long hours or extended periods in an isolated setting.
• Work may require physical exertion and/or physical strain to the point of fatigue.
• Driving a vehicle, ATV or boat (canoe, kayak) to access field sites
• Walking, hiking, climbing to access field sites
• Standing, sitting, bending, squatting, and kneeling for sustained periods
• Reaching and lifting overhead
• Climbing ladders
• Use of manual and power tools including ice augers, shovels, saws, drills, and hammers
• Ability to lift, push, pull up to 10 times/day and carry up to 40 lbs for up to 5-8 miles
• If selected, willing and able to share unofficial transcripts

Nice To Haves

• Familiar with complex database management (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Work both independently and collaboratively as a field team leader with EvoME Institution PIs, students, and other researchers to complete fieldwork, process samples, and enter, manage, analyze and interpret and and write journal articles
• Develop and manage databases and workflows across multiple collaborating institutions for the collection, sharing and archiving the data collected by the institute
• Communicate well both verbally and in writing to non-science audiences
• The fieldwork involves collection of ecological, genetic, and species trait data and samples across a 300 mile latitudinal gradient in Arctic Alaska, including vegetation, soil, water, terrestrial and aquatic organisms, and environmental data, identifying aquatic and terrestrial organisms, assessing and monitoring species traits, collecting genetic samples, and completing environmental field surveys
• Assists in project planning, supervise and schedule work of other assistants or interns and provide mentorship, required

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level