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Research fellow/lab manager

Deadline:
Employer:
The Hansen Lab at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Job Field:
Fisheries
Water and Soil Resources
Wildlife
Job Type:
Full Time
Location:
Minnesota
Location Detail:
Twin Cities
Job Description:

The Hansen Lab at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is seeking a full time research fellow (Researcher 5) to support research projects in aquatic ecology and freshwater fisheries. The position will be based in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and supervised by Dr. Gretchen Hansen. The general focus of our research is lake and fish community responses to climate change, species invasions, and land use change. This work includes substantial engagement with external partners, including federal, state, and local governments; lake and watershed groups; tribes and intertribal treaty organizations; and other academic units.The research fellow will contribute to all components of research, including sampling design, project coordination and communication with partners, field data collection, laboratory analyses, data management, data analysis, reporting to funders and external partners, and preparation of manuscripts. This individual will also support graduate and undergraduate student researchers and research infrastructure (e.g., field vehicle, boat, physical lab space). 

 

Responsibilities: 

  • Coordinates data collation and data management for multiple research projects (35%). Duties include requesting data from state and federal agencies, quality control on these data, compiling data from multiple sources into a usable and cohesive format, developing workflows in R to extract and analyze the data, sharing data and workflows using Github, and assisting with data analysis and visualization.

  • Coordinates recruitment and outreach with community members in support of sponsored research projects (15%). Duties include developing protocols and training materials to support community science, coordinating with outreach staff to recruit and train volunteers to collect water samples for eDNA analysis, answering questions from volunteers, and communicating findings via presentations and written materials.  

  • Develops and executes protocols and procedures for field work in support of sponsored research projects (15%). Duties include purchasing equipment and supplies, training and supervising students and staff, collecting water and biological specimens from aquatic ecosystems across the Midwest, trailering and driving lab boat, driving a large electrofishing boat, collecting identifying fish and invertebrates.  

  • Develops and executes protocols and procedures for lab work in support of sponsored research projects (10%). Duties include purchasing equipment and supplies, training students and staff, general lab upkeep, fish dissections, identifying invertebrates, processing samples for stable isotope analysis, processing samples for mercury analysis, and processing samples for water quality analysis. 10%

  • General support of and assistance with lab group operations (10%), including grant writing, meeting scheduling, literature reviews, and other duties as assigned. 

  • Hiring, supervision, and training (10%) of undergraduate and seasonal staff to assist with sponsored projects. Training graduate students on field and lab protocols.

  • Ensuring adherence to regulatory and safety requirements for lab and field work (5%), including obtaining necessary permits, coordinating with the University Animal use and care committee, developing trainings on equipment used in the field and in the laboratory, and ensuring that all lab members are up to date on required trainings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, data science, or a related field or a relevant Bachelor’s degree and equivalent professional experience

  • Experience with data management, data workflows, and data analysis (including spreadsheets, data visualization, and statistical software R)

  • Organizational and time management skills

  • Care and attention to detail in field, laboratory, and computer-based research

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment

  • Enthusiasm for engaging with diverse stakeholders

  • Valid U.S. state driver’s license 

  • Ability to work long hours outside and in inclement weather conditions

  • Willingness to travel for work for several days at a time

  • Ability to safely work in aquatic environments, including boating, canoeing, and wading

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience working in aquatic ecology and/or fisheries

  • Prior experience working with large datasets collected by multiple agencies

  • Experience working with interdisciplinary teams, including academics and non-academics.

  • Experience performing laboratory analyses

  • Ability to safely operate watercraft and tow boat trailers

  • Experience writing scientific manuscripts 

  • Experience preparing proposals for research funding

  • Cultural competence in working with indigenous communities

Salary:
Minimum annual salary of $58,240 with potential to negotiate depending on experience, plus full benefits.
Benefits:

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
  • Financial counseling services 
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

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