Lead Research Assistant - Glencoe, United States - Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden

Verified Company

Glencoe, United States

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Title:
Lead Research Assistant (Minnesota)

Exemption Status:
Non-exempt

Department:
Conservation Science

Reports to:
Senior Conservation Scientist

Seasonal Full-time & Part-time

Supervises:
Summer research assistants and participants

Position Overview:

Research team leads will contribute to a research group ) in western Minnesota.

The Echinacea Project investigates how small population size and reduced genetic diversity influence individual fitness, population demographics, plant-insect interactions, and evolution in the purple coneflower (_Echinacea angustifolia)_.

Research team leads will facilitate large ongoing projects, including training other team members on protocols, coordinating team activities, organizing data, and ensuring accurate and efficient data collection.

They will perform managerial tasks, including scheduling and field season planning, leading team-building activities, and ordering supplies. They will also mentor other team members who take on independent projects.

They will conduct fieldwork including collecting data on plant demography, maintaining experimental plots, removing invasive species, harvesting seed, deploying emergence traps to collect ground-nesting bees, sampling pollen and nectar, assessing floral resources in remnant prairies and restorations, and characterizing nesting habitat for bees.

The research team lead must work outdoors in adverse conditions, be able to navigate hilly and uneven terrain, exhibit patience and attention to detail, possess good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, work well independently and as part of a team, have an interest in scientific research, and have the ability to train and mentor other team members.

Enthusiasm and a willingness to work outdoors are required for this position.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

Training team members on protocols and ensuring accurate and efficient data collection
Organizing and managing data
Coordinating team activities and planning field season activities
Mentoring team members who are conducting research or leading projects
Conducting fieldwork to collect data for longterm research projects
Measuring plants and collecting pollen and nectar
Collecting wild bees using a variety of techniques, including emergence trapping
Maintaining experimental plots
Contributing to development and improvement of research projects
Conducting conservation and stewardship activities
Working as part of a team and independently
Collecting, maintaining, and organizing field gear

Chicago Botanic Garden Values & Behaviors:

VALUES

_ As an organization, we _

BEHAVIORS

_ As an organization, we _

Prioritize a culture of GROWTH.
We commit to remaining curious in how we approach our work.

Create and maintain spaces for learning.
Test new ideas and are willing to take risks to achieve our vision.
Collaborate to strengthen our skills and impact.
Demonstrate perseverance and humility as we work towards our longterm impact.

Seek to UNDERSTAND.
We seek to understand others from their perspective.

Provide opportunities for input and feedback from others.
Actively listen to all points of view.
Consider individuals' lived experiences.
Advocate for and protect time for reflection especially during times of conflict or confusion.

See one another through a lens of RESILIENCE.
We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support.

Give others the space to balance work and personal needs.
Support others and demonstrate empathy especially during challenging and stressful times.
Seek opportunities to learn from and about one another.
Ask questions about and anticipate the needs of others.

Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY.
We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision-making that honors all people.

Communicate information in a timely manner.
Provide clarity in complex situations with the goal of common understanding.
Discuss both positive and negative outcomes openly.
Evaluate the impacts of our actions.

Qualifications

Strong work ethic and selfmotivation
Ability to help foster a harmonious work environment
Ability to pay attention to detail
Desire to work effectively with a diverse group people, including scientists, volunteers, and students
Interest in advancing basic science and improving conservation practices
Capacity to effectively train team members on detailed datacollection protocols and ensure quality data
Proven track record of working in safe, efficient, and cooperative manner in a team setting
One or more years of experience using equipment, software, and protocols used by Team Echinacea
Experience with plant identification and familiarity with native tallgrass prairie flora
Experience with programming and data management using Pendragon Forms, MS Access, g