The Weston lab in the Department of Geography & the Environment at Villanova University is seeking a full-time field and laboratory research technician. The Weston lab investigates the impact of climate change and land use change in coastal ecosystems (see https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnweston.org&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C47dc91e2132a482fc7ca08d6d45f6ac8%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636929903637286802&sdata=Q4PuRjFQbldkH%2Ba5z%2FNaRhkYkKXhXoeJWpzcuwQ7i6Y%3D&reserved=0 for more information). This is temporary position contingent on grant funding, currently with three years of funding secured, with a start date of 1 June 2019.
The technician duties will include field research, laboratory analyses, assisting with undergraduate and graduate student independent research, and other duties that may be assigned. The technician will primarily conduct laboratory analyses and field research in support of ongoing research projects including, but not limited to, the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Plum Island Ecosystem Long Term Ecological Research (PIE-LTER) project, and will additionally provide support for undergraduate and graduate student research. The technician will participate in field work in tidal marshes and estuaries, including day-trips to sites in the Delaware River, New Jersey, and multi-day field campaigns to the Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts. The technician will perform field research including measurement of surface elevation tables (SETs), marker horizons, above- and below-ground plant biomass, estuarine lateral flux using an acoustic doppler current profiler, dawn/dusk transects to measure estuarine metabolism, and vertical gas flux measurements using chambers. In the laboratory, the technician’s duties will include gamma counting of soils, soil carbon and nitrogen measurements, nutrient analysis of water samples, data and meta-data preparation and organization, and assisting with (and possibly leading) manuscript preparation. After appropriate training and orientation, the technician will be responsible for leading field trips and overseeing graduate and undergraduate students in the field and laboratory. The technician will be responsible for transportation to field sites and must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be comfortable trailering a small boat behind a 12 passenger van. The technician will need to take and pass a boating safety course and will be responsible for transportation on-site by motorboat. Field work will be occasionally physically demanding with long hours. This position requires willingness and ability to conduct field research in wetland systems, including sometimes physically demanding work in hot or cold temperatures in muddy and sometimes buggy conditions. This position will also require occasional extended work hours to meet research objectives, and the operation of vehicles and small motorboats. The position will be primarily based at Villanova University, but will require travel and extended stay at field stations.
An undergraduate degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, earth science, or a related discipline is required. A relevant graduate degree and/or professional experience is preferred, with prior experience with small motor-craft, trailering, and wetland field research highly desirable. A cover letter, CV, and two letters of reference are required. For more information and to apply, visit https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjobs.villanova.edu%2Fpostings%2F16185&data=02%7C01%7Ceric.schultz%40uconn.edu%7C47dc91e2132a482fc7ca08d6d45f6ac8%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C636929903637286802&sdata=ZfUGu2yVM%2FbEbe7aA7xhDQwYHXm746yqXC8F39NX5%2FI%3D&reserved=0. Applications will be considered starting on 15 May 2019, and the position remains open until filled.