Research Associate, Flathead Lake Biological Station
[Photo from Don't Flush our Flathead Watershed Article]
The Research Associate will work with Dr. Matthew Church. The appointment is a full-time position, and involves field and laboratory research, including data analyses and syntheses. The Research Associate will be expected to work independently and collaboratively. The position demands the ability to see intellectually and technically complex projects through to their conclusion and meet project deadlines. The fieldwork required for this position will often be conducted in remote locations and aboard research vessels. Such work requires independent decision-making that is central to the success of the overall project. The Research Associate will develop new methodologies, with limited supervision, and analyze and interpret scientific data generated as part of the project.
The Aquatic Microbial Ecology Laboratory at Flathead Lake Biological Station needs this qualified candidate to oversee and successfully conduct field sampling and laboratory analyses of samples related to quantifying the biomass, activities and diversity of aquatic microorganisms. The Research Associate will need to be highly organized, meticulous in the laboratory, willing to work aboard research vessels, and have a working knowledge of methodologies applied to the study of aquatic microorganisms and biogeochemistry.
This position requires knowledge of molecular biology, including the use and application of polymerase chain reaction methods. In addition, the Research Associate must be proficient with the use of radioisotopes as tracers of microbial activity. Finally, the Research Associate must have experience developing and testing new methodologies aimed at the enumeration of microbial cell abundances and diversity. This position will interact closely with a team of students, post-doctoral fellows, other staff, and PIs, both from FLBS/UM and other collaborating institutions.
The person assigned to this position is expected to work independently to manage complex research projects and tasks. Moreover, the position requires providing laboratory and field-based training of diverse types of students and employees, including undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and technical staff. In particular, the position requires decision-making responsibilities, specific to individualized projects. Such decision-making includes organized and sound management of project budgets (via ordering of equipment and supplies), as well as decisions related to developing and implementing new methodologies and sampling approaches.
POSITION DETAILS
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
ABOUT THE FLATHEAD LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION, UM AND MISSOULA
The Flathead Lake Biological Station is a field research and teaching facility designated as a Center of Excellence of the University of Montana. The mission of the Bio Station is to conduct basic and applied research in ecology with an emphasis on freshwater; provide field ecology courses for college students, K-12 teachers and natural resource professionals; train graduate students for professional or teaching careers; and, provide scientific data, interpretation and outreach to help resolve environmental problems and inform public policy locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The faculty and staff also generate and maintain natural resource databases used by the public and resource management agencies in addition to supporting the research program at the Bio Station.
The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.
The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five PRIORITIES FOR ACTION: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, MISSOULA, AND THE STATE OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.
University of Montana
The State of Montana
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
HOW TO APPLY
PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)
Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below
A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:
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