Project Technician

Project Technician

 

Starting Date: September 15 – 30, 2022; Application Due: August 10, 2022

 

Position: Full-time research technician. 12-month appointment renewed annually based on performance. Competitive salary with full benefits.

Offered by: Texas A&M, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Archbold Biological Station

Where: Archbold Biological StationÂ’s Buck Island Ranch (Lake Placid, FL); www.archbold-station.org

Research field: Environmental sustainability, bioenergy, biogeosciences.

 

 

DESCRIPTION

Archbold Biological StationÂ’s Buck Island Ranch (BIR), Texas A&M (TAMU) and the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), seeks a full-time technician to work in a collaborative effort integrated within the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), a $115 million initiative by the US Department of Energy for the development of a sustainable bioenergy industry.

 

The research will be conducted at BIR, a biological station that operates as full-scale working cattle ranch providing a unique platform for long-term agro-ecology research. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas (TAMU), in collaboration with Drs. Evan H DeLucia (UIUC), Elena Blanc-Betes (UIUC) and Elizabeth Boughton (BIR).

 

The project investigates the environmental sustainability of sugarcane for biofuel production. Key objectives are to: (1) Characterize the impact of sugarcane cultivation on the regulation of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs; CO2, CH4 and N2O) compared to managed grazed pasture; (2) Quantify the efficiency at which sugarcane and pastures use water resources; and, (3) explore the impact of sugarcane cultivation on nitrogen and phosphorus losses versus pasture.

 

THE POSITION

This is a non-tenured, full time, 12-month position, and can be renewed annually for an additional two years, contingent on progress, and the availability of funds. Duties may change as contract or grant turnover occurs. Competitive salary with full benefits.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn basic biogeochemistry skills and gain experience in a wide range of research techniques and equipment, both in the field and in the laboratory, and data compilation, processing and analysis depending on experience. Field work includes assisting with the maintenance of eddy covariance towers – a state of the art method for high frequency monitoring of ecosystem greenhouse gas exchange –, direct measurements of soil CO2 and non-CO2 trace gas emissions, and soil, water and biomass (plant) samplings. In the lab, the technician will aid with soil, water and biomass sample processing, and preparing and maintaining field equipment and supplies. The successful candidate will train and supervise research interns that assist with field and lab work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelorÂ’s degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field; basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel).

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Research experience in the field and in the laboratory related to biogeochemistry (e.g., trace gas flux measurements, soil and water sampling, gas chromatography, eddy covariance); experience working on farms and with farmers; experience working in subtropical and tropical sugarcane plantations and rangeland. Demonstrated knowledge of troubleshooting environmental monitoring equipment is desired.

 

THE STATION

The position is located at BIR, a 10,500-acre cattle ranch near Lake Placid, FL, with shared housing available on site. Here are two documentaries about ArchboldÂ’s Buck Island Ranch: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6_WhY3aZB0 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGV_G6dnYHg )

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send

1) a letter of application,

2) a resume or CV with relevant coursework and experience, and

3) names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for three references

 

To: Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas at nuri.gomez-casanovas@ag.tamu.edu.

 

Application deadline is August 10, 2022. The position will remain opened until filled.

 

Contact Dr. Gomez-Casanovas via e-mail for more information.

 

Due to Covid-19, we require any new resident staff and interns to be fully vaccinated. These rules will be updated as Covid conditions change.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.