Title: Research Assistant (Gothic, CO)

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Plant Science

Reports to: Conservation Scientist

Seasonal Full-time

Location: Gothic, Colorado. The hourly pay range is $17.00/hour to $19.30/hour

Position Overview: The ILER LAB is looking for students with fieldwork experience to be part of an experimental plant demography project at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic, CO, USA (https://www.rmbl.org/). The project addresses how pollinator declines will affect plant population dynamics in two plant species.

Two positions are available. The start date is somewhat flexible beginning in approximately mid- to late-May and runs for up to 8 weeks depending on specific start date. This is a seasonal full-time position working 40 hours per week. Students interested in pollination, population dynamics, and/or conservation ecology are especially encouraged to apply. The RMBL provides an exciting and supportive environment for ecological field research, including weekly seminars with outside speakers. Research Assistants will also have the opportunity to attend a variety of training opportunities at the RMBL (for example, workshops on data analysis in R, visual design, and science communication).

Undergraduate students, students with bachelor’s or master’s degrees, and students in between undergraduate and graduate programs are all encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants that have previous field experience with plant demography.

The deadline to apply is 20 March 2023.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Measuring demographic vital rates on individual plants (size, reproductive status, etc.).
• Applying pollination treatments (hand pollinations and bagging flowers/inflorescences
• Recording data
• Conducting pollinator observations
• Other general ecological field tasks

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Experience conducting ecological fieldwork
• Experience with plant demography preferred
• An interest in a career in ecology or conservation

Physical Demands: Outdoor setting. Frequent squatting, standing, bending, sitting on ground, speaking, and listening. Also includes some mild hiking. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds. This project occurs at a high-elevation site (9, 600 ft above sea level), where there is less oxygen in the air and where UV light is intense. Expect shortness of breath and fatigue for the first two days and to be fully adjusted after 2 weeks (by which time the body has made more red blood cells).

*The Chicago Botanic Garden requires all existing employees to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated by October 15, 2021; hires after this date must be fully vaccinated upon hire or may request a medical/religious exemption after an offer is extended.*

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.