Research Assistant II

Position Summary The Dr. Jennifer Blesh Lab at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI is seeking a Lab Manager for The Soil and Agroecosystems Laboratory. The Lab Manager operates a specialized laboratory in SEAS that conducts interdisciplinary research in the field of agroecology. The Lab Manager is responsible for organizing and managing field work, operating and repairing laboratory equipment, collecting and analyzing data, writing reports of research findings, and contributing to scientific publications.

Duties:

Lab Management (40%) Manage and conduct field work and lab work for multiple research projects based in Michigan at the University of Michigan Campus Farm at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the Kellogg Biological Station LTER site, and in partnership with working farms in the state. Establish field experiments; collect soil, plant, and other environmental samples Perform analyses including fractionation of organic matter, extraction of inorganic nitrogen, total organic carbon and nitrogen, carbon mineralization, and plant functional traits Supervise research assistants (i.e., undergraduate and graduate students) in collection and analysis of data Train users in lab and fieldwork techniques and to operate equipment including a Leco TruMac CN Autoanalyzer and an AQ2 Discrete Analyzer Data Collection and Analysis (30%) Work independently to set up new experiments and collect data from multiple field experiments in Michigan Assist with development of research methods and suggest options for improving the efficiency and quality of research activities Conduct data analysis of existing and newly acquired data Equipment Maintenance and Repair (20%) Perform equipment maintenance and minor to moderate repairs on a Leco TruMac CN Autoanalyzer and a Seal AQ2 Discrete Analyzer Reporting and Writing (10%) Prepare research reports to share findings with stakeholders and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts Minimum Requirements Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Ecosystem Ecology, Agroecology or related science field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in overseeing research projects and laboratory operations, operating and maintaining a variety of laboratory equipment, performing specialized and difficult analytical and research techniques, and designing research experiments in Agroecology related to research being performed; require Statistical software (R,SAS)specific to the area of research; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Desired Qualifications Desired qualifications for this position include: Experience with agroecology experimental design and project managment Experience with sample analyses including fractionation of organic matter, extraction of inorganic nitrogen, total organic carbon and nitrogen, carbon mineralization, and plant functional traits Experience with scientific equipment such as the Leco TruMac CN Autoanalyzer and an AQ2 Discrete Analyzer Excellent writing skills and history of research publications Excellent communications skills Experience with supervising and training lab employees along with mentoring of graduate students Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status. Required Application Materials Please submit a resume. Additional application materials may be requested at a later time. Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website kbs.msu.edu