Research Assistant, Department of Biology at Tufts University

Research Assistant, Butterfly population ecology and phenology

Dr. Elizabeth Crone’s Lab in the Department of Biology at Tufts University is looking for a full-time post-baccalaureate research assistant. The research assistant will work on a Department of Defense-funded Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program award investigating how phenological shifts affect butterfly population persistence (https://www.serdp-estcp.org/Program-Areas/Resource-Conservation-and-Resiliency/Infrastructure-Resiliency/Vulnerability-and-Impact-Assessment/RC-2700). The assistant may also have the opportunity work on other projects within the lab as needed.

During fall/winter, the research assistant will work primarily under the supervision of Dr. Leone Brown. Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) helping to compile museum records and other historical records for focal plant and butterfly species (possibly ants and parasitoids), literature searches, data compilation and management, and help with planning and organizing field research on the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly in Maryland. The assistant will also aid the other main collaborators on the project as needed, including Dr. Cheryl Schultz at Washington State University, Dr. Sonia Altizer at the University of Georgia, Dr. Diane Debinski at Montana State University, and Dr. Norah Warchola at Tufts University. The assistant must be willing to travel to other universities and museums when necessary, and for the summer field season. Future work may include help with laboratory/field rearing and experimental manipulation of plants, butterflies, and parasitoids.

During spring/summer, the assistant will continue with the above projects where time permits, and will mainly coordinate with Dr. Elizabeth Crone to help lead the Baltimore checkerspot research portion of the project in Maryland. Fieldwork responsibilities will mainly include helping to coordinate with landowners and state biologists, regular surveys of butterflies (larval and adult stages), host plants, and nectar plants (~May-August), and data entry and management. Group housing will be provided in Maryland during the summer field season. A valid driver¹s license (and ideally personal transport) will be necessary.

The desired candidate will have strong organizational skills, basic computing skills in Microsoft Word and Excel (at minimum), be a quick and willing learner, and be willing to work in hot, sunny, and muddy weather conditions with poison ivy, ticks, etc. Previous experience with data management and independent research are highly desirable. Salary will be ~$15-20/hour, commensurate with experience. We will consider a current senior in the Boston/Somerville/Cambridge area who is able and willing to work at least 10 hours per week until the field season begins, at which point fulltime work will ensue.

The Crone Lab is a dynamic group of undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs and other professionals studying population ecology of butterflies, bees, masting trees, and orchids, to name a few (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/labs/crone/). The Biology Department at Tufts University is largely housed in a newly renovated building with state-of-the-art facilities and allows for ample interaction among members of the department (http://ase.tufts.edu/biology/).

Please send inquiries and applications to Dr. Leone Brown at leone.m.brown at gmail.com. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for two referees.