Research Technician II

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution in Houston seeks a dedicated Research Technician II to join a dynamic ecology team. This role focuses on studying freshwater communities, particularly amphibians and invertebrates, through field surveys and laboratory experiments. The successful candidate will engage in an exciting NSF-funded project, contributing to vital research on species interactions amid environmental changes. Ideal for those passionate about ecology, this position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with a supportive team while developing valuable skills in data management and research methodologies. If you thrive in outdoor settings and enjoy collaborative work, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in biology/ecology and conducting field research.
• Strong data management skills, especially in R and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and experiments in ecology in field and lab settings.
• Collect and analyze data, manage lab materials and supplies.

Skills

Background in working with animals and freshwater communities

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Good organization skills

Ability to conduct, evaluate, and analyze data

Ability to maintain quality and safety standards

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in ecology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

R programming

Job description

Special Instructions to Applicants:In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

Dr. Volker Rudolf’s research groups in the Department of BioSciences are looking to hire a Research Technician II in the field of biology/ecology.

We are a community ecology group that studies the structure and dynamics of natural freshwater communities, with a focus on amphibians and invertebrates. The candidate will be part of an exciting NSF-funded project to study the role of phenological shifts and temperature changes on species interactions in pond communities. The successful candidate will be based at Rice University, Houston, TX, in the BioSciences department and work with the group led by Professor Volker Rudolf. Core responsibilities include day trips to field sites in National Forest in Southeast Texas to conduct pond community surveys and collect individuals for experiments, assist with setup and maintenance of mesocosm and laboratory experiments, process field and experiment samples, manage lab materials and supplies, and collect, enter, and manage data (R and Excel). They are also responsible for maintaining quality, safety, and animal care standards.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working outdoors and collecting data and samples from pond communities in rural areas and have experience setting up and maintaining mesocosm and lab experiments in freshwater systems. The candidate should have a background in ecology or related disciplines. Preference will be given to candidates with a BS or BA degree and experience working with freshwater communities and amphibians and are looking to stay on for the entire duration of the grant (approximately 3 years).

Workplace Requirements:

This is an in-person position at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The position may require occasional extended work hours (e.g., after 5:00 p.m. and/or weekends) to meet project deadlines. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Additionally, this position is term-limited and funded by a grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding. The initial appointment will be for one year, with a possible extension of up to three years. The salary is $20.00 to $22.00 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions underFLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree
• 3 years of experience in biology/ecology
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  • Related experience gained as an undergraduate student and/or through internships is acceptable
• Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a validTexas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents withinthe past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated(DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

Skills:

• Background in working with animals and freshwater communities
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in relevant math and research skills
• Good organization skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to listen and communicate (verbal, written)
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Ability to conduct, evaluate, and analyze data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards

Preferences

• Research experience in freshwater ecology and handling amphibians, knowledge of data management in R

Essential Functions

• Assists in conducting research and experiments in field and laboratory settings in the area of ecology
• Collects, manages, and analyzes data using spreadsheets and databases
• Assists in the setup of the laboratory and day-to-day laboratory technical operations including promoting safety, maintaining equipment, creating kits, and/or preparing reagents
• Prepares procurement requests and orders materials and supplies, manages samples and stocks database, sets up and manages experiments, and maintains research results for publications
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Uphold animal care protocols and standards, and manage sampling permits

Working Conditions

• Must be willing to work outdoors collecting data and samples from pond communities in rural areas
• May require working outside regular hours, including evenings or weekends

Rice University HR | Benefits:https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values:Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.