The Mozdzer lab at Bryn Mawr College, located in suburban Philadelphia, is searching for a full-time 18 month Research Assistant Position to begin on, or about April 1, 2020. The position includes Bryn Mawr College$B!G(Bs generous medical, dental, and retirement benefits. The research assistant will work on a PA Sea Grant project to evaluate the effects of Phragmites australis management on blue carbon pools and carbon cycle processes in tidal freshwater and brackish wetlands. The initial appointment is for nine months and is subject to renewal for an additional nine months, for a total of 18 months. The research assistant will lead a team of undergraduate students in both the field and in the laboratory, measuring greenhouse gas fluxes using static chambers as well as associated environmental data including plant biomass, salinity, temperature, and decomposition processes. The research assistant will also collect and analyze soil cores, including loss on ignition and elemental analysis, to create blue carbon inventories.
Responsibilities:
$B!|(B Work independently, and with students, to measure greenhouse gas fluxes
$B!|(B Measure blue carbon pools using standard techniques
$B!|(B Measure surface elevation processes using a laser level system
$B!|(B Process, analyze, and archive project data
$B!|(B Occasionally sample at irregular hours (early mornings, late nights, weekends) when necessary
$B!|(B Frequent contact with students, the public, and visiting scientists will be required
Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
$B!|(B Must have at BS in Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Ecology, or related field with relevant field experience
$B!|(B Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, the ability to work as a member of a team, and the ability to communicate positively with the public are required
$B!|(B Travel is required. The candidate must possess a valid US driver license with a clean driving record to qualify to use Bryn Mawr College vehicles. The successful candidate will conduct fieldwork at the John Hines NWR, in Philadelphia, and will require travel to the field site on a regular basis (up to 20 days per month).
Preferred Qualifications:
$B!|(B MS in Biology, or related field, with relevant experience.
$B!|(B Experience measuring greenhouse gas fluxes using a Los Gatos Research Ultraportable Greenhouse Gas Analyzer
$B!|(B Experience collecting and/or analyzing greenhouse gas flux data
$B!|(B Data management and analysis in R
$B!|(B Experience preparing samples and/or experience running an elemental analyzer
$B!|(B Demonstrated skills in data organization, data analysis, and report/manuscript writing
Physical requirements:
$B!|(B Must be in good health, capable of rigorous outdoor activity (lifting approx. 50 pounds, bending, carrying heavy equipment, and walking through waist-high marine waters, tidal wetland habitat, and/or forests to access field sites).
$B!|(B Must be able lead weekly field campaigns, often working 4+ hours outdoors in tidal wetlands
$B!|(B Willing to endure occasional exposure to insects, ticks, and poison ivy
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a list of references to Dr. Thomas Mozdzer, tmozdzer@brynmawr.edu as a single pdf. If applicable, in your cover letter, please disclose any relevant incidents in your driving history that could prevent your ability to drive a Bryn Mawr College Vehicle. Review of applications will begin immediately, but those received by Feb 17, 2020 will receive full consideration. Please reference $B!H(BPA Sea Grant Research Assistant$B!I(B in your subject line.
Bryn Mawr College is a distinguished liberal arts college for women with a vibrant faculty of scholar-teachers, a talented staff and intellectually curious students eager to make a difference in the world. The College is committed to increasing the diversity of its students, faculty, staff, and curricular offerings with a particular focus on enhancing ethnic and racial diversity and advancing social justice and inclusion. We believe diversity strengthens our community and enriches the education of our students. We have a student body of 1,350 undergraduates (34 percent are U.S. students of color and 22 percent are international students). There are 310 graduate students in coeducational graduate programs in social work, humanities and science.
Bryn Mawr College is located in metropolitan Philadelphia and enjoys strong consortial relationships with Haverford College, Swarthmore College, and the University of Pennsylvania. Bryn Mawr College is an equal-opportunity employer; candidates from underrepresented groups and women are especially encouraged to apply.