Student - Research Assistant GEL Bishop

Utah Valley University; Orem (UT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah Valley University’s College of Science seeks two hourly undergraduate research assistants to join the Bishop Lab and support ecological research on plant-soil-microbial interactions in desert ecosystems and climate change responses. Work spans field and lab at the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau sites.

You'll conduct field surveys, process soil samples, assist with seed bank studies and DNA/RNA prep, keep records, and participate in multi-day field trips in Utah, including camping in

Qualifications

• Must be a current UVU student.
• Preferred majors include Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology or related field.
• Able to travel for multi-day fieldwork and walk several miles over uneven desert terrain with equipment.
• Able to follow and document detailed field and lab protocols with precision, including sterile technique.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys of biocrust, vegetation, and soil surface condition using standardized protocols; install and resurvey rainfall-reduction shelters and control plots.
• Collect and process soil samples for the seed bank study, including seed extraction, germination trials, and seedling identification.
• Process and catalog seed and soil samples from Mojave rodent/fire plots, including sterile storage, swabbing, and preparation for DNA/RNA extraction.
• Assist with rodent sample swabbing and processing during annual rodent surveys as needed.
• Maintain field and lab records, sample logs, and chain-of-custody documentation; enter and check data.
• Prepare field kits, consumables, and samples for shipment to research partners and sequencing labs.
• Participate in multi-day field trips in Utah, including camping in hot, remote conditions.

Skills

Field surveys

Sterile technique

Data entry

Field travel

Education

Undergraduate student

Earth Science / Environmental Science major (preferred)

Job description

The College of Science at Utah Valley University is seeking two hourly undergraduate research assistants to join the Bishop Lab to support ongoing ecological research projects investigating plant-soil-microbial interactions in desert ecosystems and how they respond to climate change.

Assistants will work across several linked studies: long-term biological soil crust monitoring on the Colorado Plateau and in the Great Basin; a rainfall-reduction experiment testing how biocrusts and plants respond to drought; and a new seed bank study of how biocrusts and drought shape the seeds stored in desert soils. The work spans field and lab, and students will work directly with Dr. Tara Bishop

• Conduct field surveys of biocrust, vegetation, and soil surface condition using standardized protocols; help install and resurvey rainfall-reduction shelters and control plots.
• Collect and process soil samples for the seed bank study, including seed extraction, germination trials, and seedling identification.
• Process and catalog seed and soil samples from the Mojave rodent/fire plots, including sterile storage, swabbing, and preparation for DNA/RNA extraction.
• Assist with rodent sample swabbing and processing during annual rodent surveys as needed.
• Maintain field and lab records, sample logs, and chain-of-custody documentation; enter and check data.
• Prepare field kits, consumables, and samples for shipment to research partners and sequencing labs.
• Participate in multi-day field trips in Utah, including camping in hot, remote conditions.

• Must be a current UVU student.
• Preferably majoring in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field.
• Able to travel for multi-day fieldwork and walk several miles over uneven desert terrain with equipment.

• Ability to follow and document detailed field and lab protocols with precision, including sterile technique.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for sample tracking and record-keeping.
• Willingness to learn new field, lab, and molecular sample preparation methods.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small research crew.
• Basic computer proficiency for data entry; spreadsheets, GIS, or R a plus but not required.
• Interest in ecology, soils, microbiology, or environmental science research (prior experience preferred but not required).