Research Engineering/ Scientist Assistant Full-time

Research Engineering/ Scientist Assistant

The assignment term is six (6) months from the date of hire. This assignment may renew contingent upon job performance, progress towards research goals, and new funding acquisition. This position will be stationed at the University of Texas at Austin, in Austin, Texas; and will involve occasional travel to multiple field locations.

This position is security sensitive; criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background requirements.

Work on experiments studying switchgrass ecology, physiology, and genomics. This involves a combination of plant propagation and greenhouse work, the maintenance and completion of field experiments, basic molecular biology, and lab processing of field samples.

Assist in the establishment, maintenance, and completion of switchgrass field experiments at multiple field locations.

Driving a UT owned or personally owned vehicle is an essential function of the position.

Assist in the collection, processing, and analysis of plant samples harvested from field experiments.

Utilize a variety of scientific instruments to collect data from field experiments.

General lab tasks and routine equipment maintenance.

Be primarily responsible for collecting Near Infrared Spectroscopy data on field samples. This includes milling, packing, collecting spectral data from the NIRS machine, and data post processing.

Assist with field projects and sample processing pipelines related to microbial plant association experiments.

Assist with managing all greenhouse and growth chambers associated with the Juenger lab work in multiple experimental areas.

BA or BS in ecology, biology, agronomy, or related field. Must have passed laboratory or research skills courses related to degree.

Must possess an independent, organized, and motivated attitude.

Previous experience with field research.

Experience including plant propagation, field plot establishment and maintenance, plant physiological measurements, tissue characterization, and sample preparation for nutrient analysis are preferred skills.

This job requires a class “C” operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

$40,000 + DOE

May work in all weather conditions

May work in extreme temperatures

May work around standard office conditions

May work around chemicals

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Climbing of stairs and/or ladders

Lifting and moving (Field work may require lifting and moving supplies/equipment weighing 50 pounds.)

Experimental protocols will require a non-standard work schedule. Work may involve long days and short weeks, working evenings, morning and/or weekends. This position is a mixture of field and laboratory-based investigation. It requires some overnight travel to field sites and work outside in all seasons.

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest