University of Washington Temporary Field Research Technician:
Taylor’s checkerspot host plant suitability study
Time commitment: Approximately 40 hours per week from April 11 to June 17, 2016 (ten weeks total)
Summary: We are looking for two individuals to help with research data collection on several prairies near Olympia, WA. Field techs will be responsible for collecting and entering data on environmental conditions, plant phenology, and butterfly larvae on a network of plots located throughout the prairies.
Location: Olympia, WA (Housing and transportation not provided!)
Education: Bachelors degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field preferred. At a minimum, at least two years undergraduate education with focus in one of these fields.
Experience and qualifications: We will give preference to flexible, reliable and independent individuals who have experience in ecological field data collection, are well-versed in plant identification in the Pacific Northwest, have worked with insects in the past, and enjoy working in a team outdoors.
Physical requirements: Qualified applicants will be able to spend long (~8) hours outdoors in all types of weather with limited access to indoor facilities. Must be able to walk several miles each day from plot to plot at a brisk pace. Should also be able to lift 50 lbs and use a spade, hammer, trimmers, and other miscellaneous hand tools.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- – Install insect enclosures to surround each study plot.
- -Collect environmental data including soil samples, soil moisture measurements, plant community composition, and other environmental characteristics in each study plot.
- -Assess phenology of plants including color, size, and flowering status, and collect tissue samples periodically.
- -Observe and record activities of caterpillars in each plot as they develop over the course of the spring.
- -Deploy time-lapse cameras and analyze footage to detect mortality sources for caterpillars
- -Enter field-collected data into Microsoft Excel
Supervision: Supervisor will provide orientation, instructions, and logistical help as needed. Will be present onsite intermittently, at least 1-2 days per week.
Other requirements: Valid driver license, clear handwriting.
Compensation: $15-17/hour depending on qualifications
To apply: Email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. We will begin reviewing applications by February 20.
Send materials to Nate Haan, PhD Candidate, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington (nhaan@u.washington.edu).
Feel free to contact us with other questions about the position as well. We will contact top applicants for phone or in-person interviews, with job offers hopefully occurring in early March.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.