FIELD & LAB RESEARCH SPECIALIST
140557
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
https://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board/job-details?jobID=140557
Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY: Support lab and field activities as part of the SMARTFARMS research project focusing on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Maintaining gas analyzers, autochambers, and soil sensors deployed in the field
- Assisting with stable isotope tracer experiments and laboratory assays for carbon and nitrogen cycling processes
- Collecting plant, soil, gas, and water samples from field sites
- Processing and analyzing plant, soil, gas, and water samples in the laboratory
- Supervising undergraduate students assisting with this project, including training, assigning work, and tracking work performance and deliverables
- Organizing, compiling, and quality checking datasets
- Research sites are located in Central Illinois, so this position will require frequent local travel for field sampling campaigns.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Required: A bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending on depth and breadth of experience and skills as related to this position.
Experience: Required: Research experience in the laboratory and in the field related to biogeochemistry (e.g., above and belowground plant sampling, trace gas flux measurements, soil sampling, wet chemistry, gas chromatography). Experience may include time in student status if relevant.
Preferred: Experience running analytical instrumentation for soil, water and gas samples (i.e., SmartChem discrete autoanalyzer, gas chromatograph, isotope ratio mass spectrometer). Experience with laboratory assays for soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes. Experience with field-deployed instrumentation (e.g., wiring soil sensors to dataloggers, autochambers for soil-atmosphere gas flux measurements, cavity ring down spectrometers).
Training, Licenses or Certifications: Required: US driver’s license
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: A valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly to research sites in Central Illinois for sampling campaigns. Ability to work long days in the field under hot and humid conditions. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short durations. Strong organizational skills. Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel). Ability to work in a large collaborative team environment.
Environmental Demands: Field work including working in adverse weather and field conditions.
SALARY: $36,000 to $40,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
APPOINTMENT STATUS: Full-time academic professional, grant-supported appointment renewable annually pending continued funding and satisfactory progress within the position. Qualified individuals will be eligible to receive vacation, sick, and personal leave; retirement through the State Universities Retirement System; and group health, dental, vision and life insurance.
START DATE: As soon as possible after the close date
TO APPLY: Applications must be received by January 27, 2021. To apply, all candidates must submit an online profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu by the close of the posting period. Qualified candidates must upload a letter of which details qualifications noted above, resume and the names and contact information of three professional references. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. For further information, please contact Erica Hanson, Human Resources, elhanson@illinois.edu.
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.