Original posting: https://unm.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/18/home/requisition/33313?c=unm&sq=req33313&referralToken=d5EFuqUeSE6kXs8qWZX1Kw
The Sevilleta Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program at the University of New Mexico is seeking to fill a position at the level of Research Scientist I. This position has a large field ecology component that requires the ability to live for extended periods at the Sevilleta Field Station near Socorro, New Mexico, during spring and fall data collection periods (up to five non-consecutive months per year – typically Apr/May and Aug-Oct) and to drive a field vehicle. This is a year-round position. Outside of the field seasons, the technician performs data entry, management, and quality control tasks, and at the full capacity of the position will be responsible for bringing datasets from collection to publication in the Environmental Data Initiative public data repository (https://edirepository.org/).
The primary responsibility of this research technician position is to work with other scientists to collect and manage data for a number of long-term, field-based research projects. The majority of these projects focus on plant ecology. Thus, the successful candidate will have excellent plant identification skills, the ability to hike long distances in a desert environment carrying field equipment, and the ability to collect field data and manage these data in the office. Botanical expertise and experience with vegetation sampling methods are strongly preferred because this work is the bulk of the field work time. Work tasks occasionally include the maintenance of experimental field infrastructure (e.g., setting up drought shelters, moving equipment) and maintaining field-based sensors. We also run monthly bee trapping and small mammal trapping during March – October. Thus, candidates with prior experience working with small mammals or with the identification and curation of insect specimens will be preferred; however, these skills are not required and can be learned on the job. The ability to bend, kneel, and squat reflects the physicality required for measuring plants and doing construction work. Field season stints typically involve four 10-hour days outdoors in the heat. For small mammal projects, the ability to wear a half-face respirator is necessary. Experience with data management and analysis is a preferred qualification particularly the use of Excel and the ability to write and run code in R software.
This is a term position (one-year appointment) with renewal available for multiple years, contingent upon performance.
