Research Area Specialist Associate

University Of Michigan; Pellston (MI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Temporary on-site housing

Access to on-site facilities

Job summary

The University of Michigan Biological Station invites applications for a Research Specialist to help maintain long-term data and field infrastructure in northern Michigan. The role involves hands-on fieldwork, instrument upkeep, and collaboration with researchers and students year-round.

You will work with the Resident Biologist, Data Manager, Assistant Director, and seasonal technicians to ensure data flows and equipment reliability across all stations and sensors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science and 1–3 years of related experience.
• Experience with data collection and analysis in R/Python.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate field equipment.
• Willingness to live in northern Michigan year-round.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot eddy covariance flux tower instruments.
• Serve as safety lead for the eddy covariance facility and train climbers.
• Maintain sensor networks and data collection for NADP site and related sensors.
• Quality-check instruments and archive data using UMBS workflows.
• Assist field data collection and research campaigns.
• Digitize, curate, and share historic research data.
• Support teaching labs, schedule spaces, and provide AV support.

Skills

R

Python

Education

Bachelor's in science

Job description

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan Biological Station sits on over 10,000 acres along Douglas Lake in northern Michigan and holds one of the longest continuous ecological records in North America, 117 years and counting, with approximately 70 active research projects each year. The UMBS Research Specialist coordinates with the UMBS research staff to ensure the long-term instruments stay running, field infrastructure stays maintained, and data is flowing so science can continue year after year.

The job follows the seasons. Spring and summer are vibrant with a lot of community interaction. Hundreds of students and researchers live on site. Winter is quieter as fieldwork declines and becomes more self-directed, a time to work up data, dig into the archives, and get the instruments ready for the next season. This is a year-round, 2-year term-limited position in northern Michigan.

This position works closely with the Resident Biologist, Data Manager, Assistant Director, seasonal technicians, and the many researchers and students who come through the Station. We are looking for someone who is hands-on, organized, and excited to help steward a long-term research record while contributing to a welcoming and collaborative research and teaching community. The primary focus of this role is to strengthen our data collection efforts and ensure that the Station's long-term research infrastructure (both scientific and data) is well maintained and continues to support the science conducted here.

Responsibilities*

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the eddy covariance flux tower instruments so they stay powered, calibrated, and logging data.
• Serve as safety lead for the eddy covariance flux tower facility. Become a certified competent climber and train all climbers according to established protocols.
• Assist with maintaining the sensor networks and data collection behind our long-term projects; including the NADP site, the lake buoy and its data, the snow sensor, the UV sensors, and our network of met and environmental sensors.
• Quality-check at the instrument level; archive using UMBS data management workflows.
• Assist with field data collection and research campaigns.
• Assist with digitization, curation, and sharing of historic research data.

Research Facilities 30%

• Be the first point of contact for faculty, researchers, students, and staff using the lab spaces in Stockard Lakeside lab. Facilitate scheduling, access, and shared space use with the UMBS Research Team.
• Implement policies for how the labs are run, and maintain resources being used while ensuring access across research groups, courses, and visitors.
• Manage general-use lab instruments, equipment, and spaces while performing routine maintenance, calibration, repair, and proper use.Keep inventories current and recommend upgrades or new purchases when research and teaching communities need them.
• Assist with safety procedures for chemical handling, biological materials, field samples, waste disposal, and general lab practice.
• Assist with keeping safety documentation, training records, SOPs, and emergency information current, and assist the Assistant Director with training and procedural compliance.Maintain a strong culture of safety and accountability in the labs.

Teaching & Research Support 20%

• Help faculty, researchers, students, and visiting scientists get set up for their work (e.g., equipment, space, and coordination)
• Equip classes for all UMBS academic programs and run AV support for year-round classes and workshops.
• Help users with equipment and supply access, training, and troubleshooting. Assist with ordering, maintaining, and assigning research equipment and facilities.
• Work with instructors and research groups to ensure safety processes and documentation are accurate and current.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's in science and at least one to three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience with field experiments, instrumentation, data collection, and data analysis. Comfortable managing and analyzing data in R, Python, or other reproducible environments. Valid driver's license, with the ability to operate station vehicles on unpaved roads and drive to field sites across the region in all seasons. Frequently moves equipment or materials weighing up to 40lbs across job sites. Ascends to and works at heights up to 155 feet to access infrastructure and equipment. Traverses uneven terrain for distances up to 3 miles per day to conduct site inspections or daily tasks. Performs work duties while submerged or in aquatic environments, adhering to standard safety protocols. Tolerates exposure to diverse outdoor environmental conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind. Willing and able to live in northern Michigan year-round. Strong interpersonal skills and able to work well on your own and as part of a team. A commitment to contributing to an inclusive, collaborative field community.

Desired Qualifications*

Master's preferred; experience running research projects and managing research sensors and infrastructure, plus field and lab safety. Experience with eddy covariance flux towers and long-term monitoring networks. Experience with data cleaning and management in R, Python, or other reproducible environments. Experience with data digitization or archival data rescue. Experience in an analytical chemistry lab and maintaining instruments.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Additional Information

Tower climbing and rescue training and certification are required as part of this position and will be funded and arranged by UMBS. Travel is required for training and certification for competent tower climbing conducted during the first few months of the appointment.

Temporary on-site housing at the UM Biological Station Pellston campus may be available to help you get settled while you find year-round housing in the area.

This is a 2-year term limited position.

As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.