Research Assistant #T00544

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University is seeking personnel to assist with research on the dusky gopher frog. The role involves field and laboratory work, capturing and caring for animals, data collection, and report writing. Candidates should be able to work independently at a remote field site and handle varied weather and animal-care conditions.

The position requires a B.S. in biological sciences or equivalent, with a willingness to work at a remote field site in challenging environments and to

Qualifications

• Must have at least a B.S. in biological sciences or equivalent.
• Ability to work independently at a remote field site.
• Strong data recording and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Capture and care for gopher frogs and related species in the field and in facilities.
• Measure, weigh, mark, and identify animals.
• Conduct field and lab experiments under supervision.
• Record data on sheets and in spreadsheets.
• Construct and maintain experimental facilities and enclosures.
• Operate vehicles for travel to research sites.
• Summarize data into tables, figures, and narratives; perform statistical analyses.
• Contribute to writing reports and publications.

Skills

Independence

Meticulousness

Animal care

Adaptability to harsh conditions

Education

B.S. in Biological Sciences

Job description

Employees will assist with research on the federally endangered dusky gopher frog, Rana sevosa. Duties include:

• Capturing and caring for gopher frogs and species that interact with gopher frogs (including other amphibians, tortoises, snakes, rodents, fishes, insects, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and plants) in the field and in outdoor and indoor research facilities.
• Measuring, weighing, marking, and identifying (by species and marking codes) frogs and other experimental animals.
• Conducting field and laboratory experiments with gopher frogs and other species under the direction of WCU faculty and graduate students.
• Accurately recording data onto data sheets and subsequently entering the data into computer spread sheets.
• Constructing and maintaining experimental facilities in the field and laboratory, including field enclosures for frogs, artificial ponds (in cattle watering tanks), aquaria, laboratory cages, and specialized experimental apparatuses.
• Operating U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, WCU , and private vehicles for travel to research sites.
• Summarizing research data into tables, figures, and narratives, and conducting statistical analyses of these data.
• Writing reports and giving oral presentations summarizing research activities, results, and data for use by funding and permitting agencies and other interested parties. Contribute to writing publications on research results for scientific journals.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Employees must be able to work independently with minimal supervision at a remote field site in the DeSoto National Forest in southern Mississippi, be extremely meticulous, careful, and responsible, be good with animals, and be willing to work under hot, cold, humid, rainy, or buggy conditions during daytime, nighttime, weekdays, and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate has at least a B. S. degree in biological sciences or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate has at least a B. S. degree in biological sciences and a strong interest and experience in conservation biology, ecology, and herpetology.

Posting Text

Open Date

Open Date 12/03/2021

Close Date

Close Date 12/31/2026

Open Until Filled No

Open Until Filled No

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of references

Optional Documents

• DD-214

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
  • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
  • Indeed.com
  • Personal Referral
  • Agency Referral
  • Other
• * Are you currently enrolled in 6 or more credit hours?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you currently enrolled as a student at WCU?
  • Yes
  • No