Research Technician in Agroecology and Biogeochemistry
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, Illinois,
U.S.A.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Lab
The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign seeks a full time research technician in the Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry lab to work on a project funded by the USDA. This is a 12-month non-tenure-track Academic Professional position. The overall goal of the project is to create the knowledge and institutional capacity to guide the transition from corn-soy rotation to production agroforestry— which involves growing multiple tree, shrub, and herbaceous species together to produce staple food and fodder crops—on marginal lands in the Midwest, U.S. Our interdisciplinary team, in collaboration with the Savanna Institute, will assess the ecosystem services enhancement by production agroforestry relative to corn-soy rotation on working farms in the Midwest. Our objectives are to: (1) Build an integrated community of Midwest production agroforestry farmers and researchers; (2) Quantify the effect of fertilization on tradeoffs among yield, nutrient leaching, and soil greenhouse gas emissions from production agroforestry versus corn-soy rotation; and (3) Characterize the life cycle environmental implications of a transition from corn-soy rotation to production agroforestry.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will participate in the establishment, maintenance and sampling of replicated field experiments on working farms throughout the Midwest, U.S. Extensive fieldwork will require the technician to travel throughout the Midwest for 1-2 weeks per month during the snow-free season. The balance of the technician’s time will be spent in the laboratory for the following: analyzing soil, gas, and water samples; preparing field supplies; maintaining laboratory instrumentation related to this project (including a gas chromatograph and isotope ratio mass spectrometer interfaced with a trace gas analyzer and elemental analyzer); supervising undergraduate students assisting with this project; and purchasing and receiving chemicals and scientific supplies related to this project. Depending on experience, there is also opportunity to assist with data compilation and analysis.
Required qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field (alternate degree fields will be considered/accepted depending upon depth and breadth of experience and skills as related to this position). Research experience in the laboratory and/or field. Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel).
Preferred qualifications: Research experience in the laboratory and/or in the field related to biogeochemistry (e.g., trace gas flux measurements, soil sampling, wet chemistry, gas chromatography). Experience working on farms and with farmers, strongly preferred.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications
Start date: as soon as possible
Applications must be received by March 20, 2017. To apply, all candidates must submit an online profile through https://jobs.illinois.edu by the close of the posting period. Qualified candidates must upload a letter of which details qualifications noted above, resume and the names and contact information of three professional references. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For further information, please contact: Susan Key, Human Resources, susankey [-at-] illinois.edu
More information available at:
- http://sustainability.illinois.edu/
- https://sib.illinois.edu/yang/
Posted: March 5, 2017.
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