> The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the University > of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign seeks a full time research technician in the > Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry lab to work on a > project funded by the USDA. This is a 12-month non-tenure-track Academic > Professional position. The overall goal of the project is to create the > knowledge and institutional capacity to guide the transition from corn-soy > rotation to production agroforestry— which involves growing multiple tree, > shrub, and herbaceous species together to produce staple food and fodder > crops—on marginal lands in the Midwest, U.S. Our interdisciplinary team, in > collaboration with the Savanna Institute, will assess the ecosystem services > enhancement by production agroforestry relative to corn-soy rotation on > working farms in the Midwest. Our objectives are to: (1) Build an integrated > community of Midwest production agroforestry farmers and researchers; (2) > Quantify the effect of fertilization on tradeoffs among yield, nutrient > leaching, and soil greenhouse gas emissions from production agroforestry > versus corn-soy rotation; and (3) Characterize the life cycle environmental > implications of a transition from corn-soy rotation to production > agroforestry. > > > > MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES > > The successful candidate will participate in the establishment, maintenance > and sampling of replicated field experiments on working farms throughout the > Midwest, U.S. Field work will be extensive during the snow-free season (3-4 > days per week) and less frequent otherwise (3-4 days per month). This will > require the technician to travel throughout the Midwest frequently during the > snow-free season (up to 1-2 days per week) and less frequently during the > winter (up to 1-2 days per month). The balance of the technician’s time > will be spent in the laboratory for the following: analyzing soil, gas, and > water samples; preparing field supplies; maintaining laboratory > instrumentation related to this project (including a gas chromatograph and > isotope ratio mass spectrometer interfaced with a trace gas analyzer and > elemental analyzer); supervising undergraduate students assisting with this > project; and purchasing and receiving chemicals and scientific supplies > related to this project. Depending on experience, there is also opportunity > to assist with data compilation and analysis. > > > > Required qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental > science, chemistry, or related field (alternate degree fields will be > considered/accepted depending upon depth and breadth of experience and skills > as related to this position). Research experience in the laboratory and/or > field. Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel). > > > > Preferred qualifications: Research experience in the laboratory and/or in the > field related to biogeochemistry (e.g., trace gas flux measurements, soil > sampling, wet chemistry, gas chromatography). Experience working on farms > and with farmers, strongly preferred. > > > > Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications > > > > Start date: as soon as possible > > > > Applications must be received by March 16, 2018. To apply, all candidates > must submit an online profile through bit.ly/UIUCapply by the close of the > posting period. Qualified candidates must upload a letter of which details > qualifications noted above, resume and the names and contact information of > three professional references. All requested information must be submitted > for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be > reviewed. > > > > For further information, please contact: Susan Key, Human Resources, > susan...@illinois.edu > > > > The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job > candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. > > > > The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action > employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are > encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. > To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visit > http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu >
