Undergrad Ecology Research Assistant (Desert Field & Lab)

Woodbury School of Business; Orem (UT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Utah Valley University invites applications for two hourly undergraduate research assistants to join the Bishop Lab in ecological research on plant-soil-microbial interactions in desert ecosystems and climate change responses. This role spans field and lab activities under Dr. Tara Bishop.

Responsibilities include field surveys, soil sampling for seed bank studies, and processing samples for DNA/RNA workflows, with multi-day field trips in Utah; camping in hot, remote conditions is possible.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Field protocols

Laboratory protocols

Sterile technique

Data entry

Independent work

Education

Earth Science major

Biology major

Environmental Science major

Tools

Spreadsheets

GIS

R

Job description

Utah Valley University invites applications for two hourly undergraduate research assistants to join the Bishop Lab in ecological research on plant-soil-microbial interactions in desert ecosystems and climate change responses. This role spans field and lab activities under Dr. Tara Bishop.

Responsibilities include field surveys, soil sampling for seed bank studies, and processing samples for DNA/RNA workflows, with multi-day field trips in Utah; camping in hot, remote conditions is possible.