*Position: *Research Assistant (Student Services Contractor) – Invasive Species, 1 position available.
*Location: *Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN *Salary:* $16.66/hr *Duration of position:* This is a contract position that will begin by August 1, 2016. The intended duration is August 2016 – July 2015, with extension dependent on future funding. *Project:* Endophytic Fungi of Phragmites and Their Potential Effect on Invasibility *Position Description:* The student contractor will serve as a Research Assistant in microbial ecology with a focus on invasive Phragmites and associated fungal endophytes. The contractor will be based at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. They will play a support role for researchers in the Coastal Ecosystems branch of the USGS-GLSC by assisting with a variety of duties. Duties include, but are not limited to, identifying and/or extracting DNA from fungal endophytes from Phragmites plant tissue under the guidance of research scientists, culturing fungi, performing literature reviews and further research to determine the possible roles of identified fungal endophytes in Phragmites plants, assisting with data entry and management (e.g., lab notebooks, spreadsheets, R code) and quantitative data analysis under the direction of other members of the research team, and/or help preparing text for technical reports and publications on project-related topics. *Education/Experience Requirements:* The successful candidate must be currently enrolled as a student or must have received a degree within one year prior to beginning the contract. The student must be pursuing a degree in microbial ecology or a related field. Experience culturing and identifying fungal endophytes is required. Experience working with symbiotic microbes and conducting studies in a greenhouse environment is preferred. Working knowledge of DNA extraction techniques, tissue sample preparation, metagenomics, and general culturing protocols is desired. Strong verbal and written skills are important. The student contractor should have a keen sense for attention to detail and a strong desire to learn. S/he also should be highly motivated and comfortable working both as a member of a close team and independently. Other *Details*: This contract covers a 12-month period, with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2016. The student contractor will not receive holiday pay, annual or sick leave, or health care benefits, nor will they receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 80 within a two-week period. Hours in excess of the established 80 per two weeks will be paid at the regular hourly rate of $16.66. The student will report to Indiana University in Bloomington, IN for all duties, unless otherwise specified. Office/lab work will occur in a room equipped with a computer workstation, in a laboratory, or in the greenhouse. Paid travel may be required for multiple days at a time. Moving expenses will not be paid. Lodging will only be provided when in travel status. The successful candidate will be hired as an independent contractor. This is not a government position, and time does not count toward time-in-service. The position will close on *June 30, 2016*. To ensure consideration of your application, please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and a list of three references to Wes Bickford ([email protected], (734) 214-7291 PH, (734) 994-8780 FAX) by *June 30*.
