Job ID359553 LocationTwin Cities Job FamilyResearch-Researchers Full/Part TimeFull-Time Regular/TemporaryRegular Job Code8352R2 Employee ClassCivil Service About the Job A Researcher 2 position is available to support the Soil and Ecosystem Ecology for Climate Resilient Systems (SEECRS) laboratory in the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate. PI: Jessica Gutknecht About the Lab The SEECRS lab explores how soil microbial community dynamics can inform our understanding of ecosystem functions such as carbon cycling and sustainability under global change and other human influences. We seek someone to oversee the execution of laboratory and some field work designed to understand how the soil resource and soil biota relate to ecosystem sustainability and resiliency. Research in the SEECRS laboratory is wide spanning,with an emphasis on soil health, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, soil carbon dynamics, water infiltration, and/or other soil processes. We believe that our work is made more creative, novel, and impactful through having a diverse team. The Gutknecht Lab is committed to providing opportunities for students of color and other underrepresented individuals in science to become future leaders in the field. We are a proud equal opportunity employer. Location: UMN Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, Borlaug Hall, Saint Paul, MN. Duties/Responsibilities The selected candidate will provide scientific and technical support for soil ecology research within the Department of Soil, Water and Climate. Percentages below are based on an approximate 1.0 FTE (approximately 40 hrs per week) position. This is an annually renewing position initially offered for an expected two years, with extension possible based on funding and performance. Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience and is in the range of $21-23 per hour. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: General laboratory management (40%) Research, infrastructure management, and staff management to ensure effective progress on research and a supportive community environment. Coordinating work across projects and team members, communication as appropriate with collaborators, ordering supplies and equipment; maintain an orderly and efficient soil science laboratory by developing protocols for organization of diverse research projects; modifying practices and procedures to improve efficiency and quality of research; evaluate expenditure of research funds in partnership with the Principal Investigator. Staff management (15%). The Researcher 2 will assist in hiring and directing a team of undergraduate research assistants to conduct field work and laboratory analysis. This work also includes supporting and assisting graduate and undergraduate research assistants, including safety training, instruction currently used approaches and techniques to soil ecological analysis, as well as identifying resources for students and staff to develop new research approaches as part of an their degree or research program. Assistance with appraisal of personnel performance with the Principal Investigator. (20%) Infrastructure and instrumentation research. Activities include the operation of the isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) laboratory. Related activities to this operation will include running samples for the Gutknecht lab, collaborators, and occasional clients (as part of the fee based service), maintaining the equipment and ordering supplies, troubleshooting and contacting service technicians when necessary, processing data, and invoicing for fee based service. This may include training of graduate students or other staff on the microscale or other equipment as necessary, graduate students especially may be encouraged to shadow or learn the process of operating the equipment as part of their graduate training. (25%) Research responsibilities will include organization and implementation of complex multistep procedures that require la oratory analysis of microbes associated with nutrient cycling in soils. Laboratory related work includes analyses for microbial diversity, biomass and community structure, isotopic analysis, microbial activity, extractable ammonium and nitrate, soil structure though aggregate stability analysis, and/or various other soil health metrics. Field related work includes helping collect environmental data such as soil samples (including the use of a truck-mounted hydraulic soil probe), soil greenhouse gas flux data (with use of a portable FTIR machine), soil moisture data, soil moisture samples from manual or automated machines, and water samples from lysimeters. The Researcher 2 is expected to enter and organize data into a comprehensive database using tools such as excel and Google docs/sheets. Duties may also include working with the PI to develop new or novel research approaches using current literature, interactions with peer scientists. Possibly, work will include analysis of resulting experimental data to test stated hypotheses and interpret the results. Prepare the results in written, poster or oral outputs as appropriate or needed. Qualifications Required: BA/BS with at least 1 year of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 5 years; position involves comparing, verifying and reconciling data to achieve overall objectives. Valid driver's license or ability to travel to and from field locations. Good communication skills, including verbal communication and mentoring; written communication to articulate information and project results, and lab organization. Preferred: Degree in Soil Sciences, Plant or Agronomic Sciences, Microbiology, Ecology, or a related discipline. Experience with running and troubleshooting sophisticated equipment (i.e. elemental analyzer, isotope ratio mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph) for soil biology analysis. Database, laboratory, or inventory management. Significant experience in experimental design, data management and analysis, especially in the R platform, reporting, writing, and presenting summary results of research. Experience directly supervising undergraduate and graduate students in preparation and implementation of research projects. Experience supporting persons of diverse backgrounds and experiences Experience working across a diverse range of communities, including Native American tribes, rural communities, and communities of color on issues related to climate change and environmental justice. Experience applying a racial equity and social justice lens to create an inclusive office environment and practices. About the Department The mission of the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate is to advance the understanding of Earth system processes and the interaction among land, atmosphere, and water. Through research, teaching, and outreach we seek to: Improve and protect the quality of soil, air, and water resources in natural and managed ecosystems; Enhance agricultural and forest productivity and sustainability; Predict and mitigate impacts of environmental and climate change on ecosystems and society;... For full info follow application link. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.