POOL: Student Plant and Microbial Ecology Research Asst - Greenhouse

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas in Lawrence invites applications for a student hourly position in the Bever/Schultz lab to support plant and microbial ecology studies. You will help with greenhouse experiments, maintain plants, assist in harvesting, and aid in lab processing, with data entry and field work as needed.

The role requires willingness to work in a greenhouse under potentially extreme temperatures and to balance lab tasks with class schedules. Remote work is not available.

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented with strong time management as evidenced by application materials.
• Ability to work in a team and independently as evidenced by application materials.
• Must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours during the semester term.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and measuring greenhouse plants (height, pests).
• Harvesting and processing plants from greenhouse experiments (root washing, weighing).
• Experimental setup and cleanup (washing pots, sterilizing equipment).
• Aiding in laboratory processing (staining, mounting roots for microscopy, spore extractions).
• Entering data and assisting with field work.

Skills

Detail oriented

Team and independent work

Job description

Position Overview

The student will work closely with technicians, graduate students, and postdocs in the Bever/Schultz lab to assist in plant and microbial ecology research. The student will contribute to multiple greenhouse experiments by performing a variety of greenhouse and lab tasks, such as maintaining and measuring plants, harvesting greenhouse plants, and experimental cleanup. The ideal student will work varying hours during the spring/fall semesters based on their availability and the lab’s research needs.

This position requires the willingness and ability to work in a greenhouse environment during potentially extreme temperature conditions.

Job Description

40% - Maintaining and measuring greenhouse plants (e.g. plant height and pest control).

30% - Harvesting and processing plants from greenhouse experiments (e.g. root washing and weighing).

10% - Experimental set up and clean up (e.g. washing pots and sterilizing equipment).

10% - Aiding in laboratory processing (e.g. staining and mounting roots for microscopy, spore extractions, and other microbial methods).

10% - Entering data and helping with field work.

Required Qualifications

1. Professional experience which required attention to detail and great time management skills, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and independently, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Coursework in biology, ecology, environmental science or related subjects.
2. Experience working or doing strenuous physical activity indoors and outdoors, as evidenced by application materials.
3. Experience with growing plants in greenhouses, as evidenced by application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

This position requires the willingness and ability to work in a greenhouse environment during potentially extreme temperature conditions.

Employment Conditions

(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Contact Information to Applicants

Ashley Bowman

[e-mail]

Monday, 11/23/2026

Advertised Salary Range$15.00 per hour

Anticipated Start DateMonday December 7, 2026