Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:
Assist in establishing field and greenhouse experiments, and collecting data on floral traits, pollinators, and plant reproduction. Process samples, enter data, curate datasets, and conduct routine plant care. The majority of work will be in a group setting with students and a postdoctoral researcher. Other duties as assigned.

JOB DUTIES:
45% - Essential - Conduct research related to ongoing projects including pollinator-mediated experimental evolution of floral signaling traits in the greenhouse and establish new projects on seasonal variation in pollinator-mediated selection in the field. The research will involve processing plant samples using reflectance spectrophotometry and light microscopy, conducting controlled hand-pollinations, collecting, pinning, and identifying insects to genus level, and scoring fruit set and seed set. The research development of new projects will involve critical thinking and troubleshooting.

20% - Essential - Organize large phenotypic, fitness, and pollinator community datasets using excel, and analyze and visualize data using R statistical software. Expertise with specific R packages (ggplot2, pavo) would be ideal

15% - Essential - Cultivate plants from seed, properly label each plant and track parentage, water, fertilize and maintain plants, and monitor for pests

10% - Essential - Train and advise undergraduate researchers in the greenhouse and lab to ensure proper use of technical equipment (e.g., spectrometers, microscopes, balances).

10% - Essential - Maintain lab safety protocols, keep chemical stock lists up-to-date, and maintain cleanliness of lab environments (greenhouse and wet lab).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education - High School or Equivalent and work experience in a clinical or research laboratory setting, in a health care setting or in a general maintenance or machine shop environment. A bachelor's degree in a related scientific discipline may be substituted for the required work experience.

Work Experience 0+ years

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
Education - Bachelor's Degree - Ecology, evolution, or plant biology

Work Experience 1+ years with plant maintenance, plant reproductive biology, microscopy, excel, R coding.

RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB KNOWLEDGE
Fundamental Job Knowledge - Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No Supervisory Duties - Not responsible for supervising employees.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES
No Budget Responsibilities - No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
20% - Stand for prolonged period
15% - Sit (stationary position) for prolonged period
05% - Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc
20% - Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl)
75% - Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself
75% - Recognize or inspect visually
75% - Extends hands or arms in any direction
75% - Perceive, observe, clarity of vision