Wetland Ecology Field Technician
About The Position
The Gough Forest Ecology Lab (goughlab.com [http://goughlab.com/]) at Virginia Commonwealth University seeks paid research technicians for the summer 2026 field season. Technicians will contribute to NASA and Department of Energy supported research at the VCU Rice Rivers Center in the Harris Creek and Kimages Creek Tidal wetlands. Research support roles include collecting daily soil respiration measurements from sites within the wetlands; assisting with regular maintenance of an eddy covariance flux tower, hyperspectral and thermal remote sensing equipment; installing a lateral flux measurement system in Kimages Creek; and lab-based water analysis. Our lab team is highly collaborative, with all members expected to enthusiastically participate in group field research activities and lab gatherings. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing how this position is aligned with their interests, a curriculum vita with GPA, and list of 3 references. About VCU & SLSS: Virginia Commonwealth University is a nationally recognized public, urban research university located in historic Richmond, Virginia. Designated a Carnegie R1 institution for very high research activity, VCU enrolls nearly 29,000 students across its Monroe Park and VCU Health campuses. Ranked among the top public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, VCU is known for academic excellence, student success, and strong partnerships with government, nonprofit, and industry leaders in Virginia’s capital city. The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability (SLSS) was established in 2025, bringing together programs in Biology, Environmental Studies, Bioinformatics, Sustainable Innovation, Outdoor Leadership, and Integrative Life Sciences to create an interdisciplinary hub for teaching and research. We serve more than 2,400 undergraduate and 100 graduate students across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Our 67 full-time faculty and 16 professional staff are committed to innovative teaching, experiential learning, and impactful research across the life, environmental, and health sciences. As a growing school, we are building a collaborative community focused on preparing students to address complex challenges in a changing world. Visit slss.vcu.edu [http://slss.vcu.edu/] to learn more.
Requirements
- Successful completion of coursework in ecology, wetlands ecology, environmental studies, or a related field
- Team oriented field research experience
- The capacity to do physically strenuous work in a hot, humid, and muddy setting
- Demonstrated experience to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with Virginia wetland plants
- Quantitative and science communication skills
- Prior field research experience
Responsibilities
- Collecting daily soil respiration measurements from sites within the wetlands
- Assisting with regular maintenance of an eddy covariance flux tower, hyperspectral and thermal remote sensing equipment
- Installing a lateral flux measurement system in Kimages Creek
- Lab-based water analysis
- Enthusiastically participate in group field research activities and lab gatherings
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
