Research Assistant/Technician: Arctic Tundra Ecosystems

Position opening: RESEARCH ASSISTANT/TECHNICIAN (Arctic tundra ecosystems)

We invite applications for a seasonal Research Assistant/Technician
position based at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA and Marine Biological
Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, MA with a summer field season on the North
Slope of Alaska (Toolik Field Station). The applicant will be hired through
Wilkes University, reside in the Toolik Field Station
(http://toolik.alaska.edu) between June and September, and then move to MBL
for the rest of the season. MBL manages the long-term ecology research
(LTER) project at Toolik and is home to dozens of scientists, postdocs, and
research assistants studying the Arctic system. The position is funded by
NSF for 6 months/year, and could be extended to 12 months if the candidate
can fit to other funded projects at MBL.

The candidate will study how locally adapted populations of tussock species
respond differently to changing climate and affect ecosystem function and
biogeochemical cycling in the Arctic tundra in northern Alaska
(http://ecotypes.weebly.com/). The job duties include setting up warming
experiments, recording plant growth and phenology, and measuring
photosynthesis and respiration in reciprocal transplant gardens under
warming treatments across a gradient of study sites in tundra ecosystems in
northern Alaska. Activities in Woods Hole include chemistry analyses and
data analyses. The candidate will work closely with project postdoc, Dr. Tom
Parker, and supervised by Drs. Jim Tang (MBL), Ned Fetcher (Wilkes
University), and Michael Moody (University of Texas-El Paso).

A BA/BS in ecology, evolution, or environmental sciences is required. An MA
in one of the above fields is encouraged. Strong experience in field
instrumentation, particularly with infrared gas analyzers (IRGA),
fluorometer, dataloggers, and climatic sensors, is essential. The successful
candidate should be able to work independently for a long time and live in a
remote setting.

Applicants should be in good health, capable of rigorous physical activity
(e.g., working long hours in potentially harsh environmental conditions,
carrying ~40 pound pack across uneven terrain) and prepared to live in an
isolated research camp.  The successful candidate should be available for
travel to Alaska in late May or early June and should be able to remain in
Alaska through the end of August.  All travel and living expenses while in
Alaska will be paid in addition to a salary.

Please send a brief cover letter indicating your interest and experience,
curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts and the names, addresses, phone
number, and email address of three references to: Dr. Jim Tang
(jtang@mbl.edu) and Dr. Ned Fetcher (ned.fetcher@wilkes.edu). Review of
applications will start January 1, 2016 and continue until a suitable
candidate is identified.