Position Opening: DUE 3/10/14: Lead Research Technician Position: Long-term impacts of experimental connectivity on plant diversity
Our review of applications will begin on 3/10/14. To be fully considered, please apply by this date. We seek to hire a lead research technician and project manager to work within a landscape fragmentation experiment to understand the long-term impacts of habitat connectivity on plant community assembly and diversity. The successful candidate will be based full time at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. Job duties will include vegetation and soil sampling, collection of plant functional traits, and establishment and monitoring of experiments to evaluate the effects of connectivity on community assembly in longleaf pine understories. The technician will interact closely with the PIs, Ellen Damschen (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lars Brudvig (Michigan State University), Nick Haddad (North Carolina State University), and John Orrock (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and other members of the research group including graduate students and local US Forest Service resource managers. The technician will also be responsible for coordinating and managing temporary field assistants to assure the execution of the project. The preferred start date is May 1, 2014, with funding for salary and benefits available for five years (contingent upon favorable probationary period and annual evaluations). Annual salary will begin at $30,000-$35,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Housing is not provided. Successful candidates will hold a Master’s degree in ecology or a related discipline and must be proficient with plant identification and be able to endure hot and humid conditions and long hours in the field. Previous field research experience, strong organizational skills, and the desire to quickly learn the longleaf pine forest understory flora are mandatory. Candidates possessing background in one or more of the following – botany, data management, field experiments, or field crew supervision – will be especially favorably received. Because the Savannah River Site is a highly secure area run by the U.S. Department of Energy, non-United States citizens may have difficulty gaining clearance to work there. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Review of applicants will begin on March 10, 2014 and continue until the position is filled. To apply, please email a CV and a cover letter describing past experience, why you are a strong candidate for this position, dates of availability, and contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for three references to Ellen Damschen at [email protected].
