Temporary Researcher

University of Colorado Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) seeks one or two ecological research assistants to support climate change impact studies on plant populations. You will assist with field, lab, and greenhouse setups, and perform data processing and statistical analyses in collaboration with Dr.

Doak and graduate students. We require a BA/BS in biology or environmental studies, field-season experience, plant identification (Colorado Front Range grasses preferred), and

Qualifications

• BA/BS in biology, environmental studies, or related field.
• At least one field season of research in plant population ecology.
• Experience with plant identification, preferably Colorado Front Range species.
• Experience with R for data processing and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Data entry and processing for ecological projects.
• Statistical analysis of data sets with supervision.
• Construct lab experimental set-ups and use for data collection.
• Collect data on field and greenhouse experiments.

Skills

Data entry

Statistical analysis

R

Field work

Plant identification

Education

BA/BS in biology or environmental studies

Job description

Job Summary

The Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is seeking one or two ecological research assistants to add in projects addressing climate change impacts on plant populations and related topics. The work in these positions will include set‑up and maintenance of field, lab, and greenhouse experiments as well as data processing and statistical analysis. The assistants in these positions will work in close coordination with Dr. Doak and both graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Summary

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder is composed of approximately 20 tenured / tenure track faculty covering a wide range of topical expertise. Our faculty also includes rostered, full‑time teaching professors. The department consists of a broad range of environmental studies including an undergraduate program, a graduate research program (MS and PhD), and a professional master’s program (MENV). The department’s primary strength is interdisciplinary research and education on human‑environment interactions, as we integrate scholarship on environmental science, policy, and values. Combined, faculty within the ENVS department at CU Boulder represent expertise in a range of human‑environment areas and utilize quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑method approaches. ENVS here at the University of Colorado Boulder emphasizes the importance of diverse voices and experiences for strengthening our teaching, research, and service to broader communities. As a department committed to justice and equity, our goal is to create an environment that welcomes and supports everyone.

Main Responsibilities Will Include

These responsibilities encompass data handling, experimental set‑ups, and field collection.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Data entry and processing for ecological research projects.
• Statistical analysis of some data sets, working closely with supervisors.
• The construction of several lab experimental set‑ups and then use of these for data collection.
• Data collection on one or more field and greenhouse experiments.

What You Should Know

The position will include work outside and at high elevations, as well as considerable computer duties. Past familiarity with plant population ecology methods and ideas are fundamental for this work, as is experience in conducting data collection on plant population dynamics.

What We Can Offer

$26/hr.

Benefits

• Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits‑eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• BA or BS in biology, environmental studies, or related fields;
• At least one field season, and ideally more, of experience doing research in plant population ecology or closely related fields. This should include field work experience.
• Experience with plant identification, including of grass specimens. Ideally, familiarity with Colorado Front Range species and ecological communities.
• Experience working with R, including both for data processing and statistical analysis.

What You Will Need

• As outlined in the position requirements, extensive past ecological research experience is of key importance.
• This should include experience with statistical analysis and also with ecological field work.
• The work in these positions will include close collaboration with multiple supervisors, but also involves independent work.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Familiarity with a broad range of methods in statistics and population ecology modeling.
• Familiarity with ecological field methods and comfort with working outdoors, including in winter conditions.
• Experience in plant identification of montane Colorado species, in particular grass species.