Hourly Research Assistants

UTN; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum, in partnership with the University of Utah, seeks a Conservation and Research Assistant (Work-Study) to support seed bank data management and related laboratory tasks. The role offers part-time hours (19 per week) with a flexible daytime schedule during standard hours.

Responsibilities include verifying seed bank contents against records, data entry, preparing new seed collections for storage, and assisting with viability testing and imaging.

Qualifications

• Equivalency statement allows 1 year of higher education to substitute for 1 year of related work experience.
• Posting restricted to University of Utah students with Federal Work-Study Award for the current year.
• Role levels: Research Assistant I or II depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Checking seed bank contents in the freezer against records and entering data into a spreadsheet.
• Preparing new seed collections for storage, including counting, viability testing, imaging, packaging, and data record maintenance.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Organization

Botany knowledge

Education

Federal Work-Study Award eligibility

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Working Title Conservation & Research Assistant (Work-Study)

Career Progression Track S00

Track Level S2 - Intermediate, S1 - Entry Level Support

FLSA Code

FLSA Code Nonexempt

Patient Sensitive Job Code?

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Type

Temporary?

Temporary? Yes

Standard Hours per Week 19

Full Time or Part Time?

Full Time or Part Time? Part Time

Shift

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Hours are flexible but should be regular and within normal workday hours.

Is this a work study job?

Is this a work study job? No

VP Area

VP Area President

Department

Location

Location Campus

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment Internal to the University

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range $16.50/hourly

Close Date

Close Date 12/31/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 12/31/2026

Job Summary

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, serves as the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills above the University of Utah campus, Red Butte Garden includes over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of natural area trails. The Garden is nationally recognized for its diverse plant collections, seasonal floral displays, outdoor concert series, private event spaces, and award winning horticultural education programs.

This position within the Conservation and Research Department at Red Butte Garden involves supporting staff in updating and maintaining the conservation seed bank database, as well as assisting with additional laboratory activities related to seed bank maintenance and preservation

Responsibilities

• Checking seed bank contents in the freezer against existing seed collection records and entering accurate data into a spreadsheet.
• Preparing new seed collections for storage, including counting, testing for viability, imaging, packaging, and ensuring data records are accurate and complete.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Assistant, I: Requires little to no related experience.

Research Assistant, II : Requires at least 1 year of related experience.

This job posting is only available to University of Utah students who have been awarded a Federal Work-Study Award for the current year. Please login to CIS and go to the Finance/Financial Aid section to view your Financial Aid Status. If you have not received a Federal Work-Study Award, then do not complete and submit this application. Before hire, this employer will confirm that you have received a Federal Work-Study Award for the current year.

Preferences

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Care and attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Familiarity with basic botany, plant ecology, Utah flora

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page .

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What is your highest level of completed education?
  • None
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctorate Degree
• * How many years of related work experience do you have?
  • Less than 2 years
  • 2 years or more, but less than 4 years
  • 4 years or more, but less than 6 years
  • 6 years or more, but less than 8 years
  • 8 years or more, but less than 10 years
  • 10 years or more, but less than 12 years
  • 12 years or more, but less than 14 years
  • 14 years or more
• Have you been awarded and have you accepted a Federal Work-Study Award for the current year? If no, do not submit this application.
  • No
  • Yes
• Have you read and do you agree to follow the work-study information and policy as stated in the Student Work-Study Handbook found on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website? (https://financialaid.utah.edu/types-of-aid/work-study/students/) If no, do not submit this application.
  • No
  • Yes

University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]