The successful candidate will work on a collaborative project on microbiome-root exudate interactions in bioenergy crops in marginal lands. The position is based at Kellogg Biological State, and involves the labs of Sarah Evans, Maren Friesen, and Lisa Tiemann.
Title: Research Tech II Location: Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI Apply on the MSU Applicant Page (MAP)- jobs.msu.edu The posting number for this position is 2627. Minimum Requirements: Knowledge normally acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in the fields of environmental or soil science; six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in performing basic analytical and research techniques including basic soil analysis; experience with stable isotope analyses in an ecological context; experience with soil greenhouse gas sampling and measuring soil respiration in situ; experience in the use and calibration of related analytical equipment such as a TOC analyzer, Lachat Quikchem Autoanalyzer, elemental analyzer, infrared gas analyzer, gas chromatograph, isotope ratio mass spectrometer, spectrophotometer, and others; experience in statistical analyses and analyzing data; experience in the use of spreadsheet, word processing, presentation, and statistical software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; possession of a valid vehicle operator's license. Desired Qualifications: Master's degree with a research focus in soil ecology, soil biogeochemistry, or ecosystem ecology; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures performing analytical and research techniques; experience presenting research at national scientific meetings; proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and familiarity with statistical software packages such as R; superior organizational skills; experience with database construction and maintenance. Job Summary: Coordinate laboratory and/or field operations, assist with the planning and implementation of experiments, conduct experiments, and assist with data entry and some data analysis. This position will require wide-ranging travel in Michigan and Wisconsin and travel between the MSU main campus and the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, which is located approximately 1.25 hours south of main campus. Specific Responsibilities: coordinates research activities, including planning and logistical support for field trips, protocol standardization and exchange, and communication among personnel; performs soil tests, assays, and various analyses, records results, and manages data including data organization, backup, and dissemination; consults with project PIs, postdocs, and graduate students to assist in planning and implementing lab and field experiments; compiles and summarizes results and participates in preparing reports, manuscripts and articles for publication; uses and calibrates research equipment such as a gas chromatograph, plate reader, mass spectrometer, and vacuum systems; use of computers and related software; etc.; acts as a contact person to internal and external individuals regarding research projects and experiments; reviews and supervises the work of student employees hired to work on the specific project; collects and prepares materials and data necessary for performing experiments in the lab and field; operates laboratory/field instruments and equipment using written specifications; researches literature in order to maintain a current knowledge of laboratory research methods and terminology. Duties associated with this position involve performing physical field work all day to include soil and gas sampling and plant biomass harvest. This is an off-campus position based primarily from the Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI.
