Research Assistant (Falmouth, MA and Arctic)
Research Assistant III
Falmouth, Massachusetts Onsite
Mission:
Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.
Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.
Summary/Objective:
Join Woodwell Climate as a Research Assistant, contributing to the Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EvoME) project. EvoME brings together experts from across biological disciplines to generate new insights at every scale of biology, from genes to landscapes. Our cross-disciplinary research investigates multiple species’ responses to changes in river and streamside tundra environments by conducting landscape surveys and large-scale experiments to learn how genetic changes influence food web connections and flows of energy within and among ecosystems. Data from surveys and experiments will be used to create models that include evolution of species traits to predict future ecosystem change. The EvoME Institute seeks an experienced applicant to lead field research, conduct laboratory analyses, and manage data for the Institute.
Responsibilities include but not limited:
- Support EvoMe project as Field Team Lead and Data Manager, working with PIs, students, and other research assistants to successfully complete fieldwork, process samples in the laboratory, and enter, organize, and manage the data
- The fieldwork involves collection of ecological, genetic, and species trait data and samples across a broad latitudinal gradient in Arctic Alaska
- Collect vegetation, soil, water, terrestrial and aquatic organisms, and environmental data, identify aquatic and terrestrial organisms, assess and monitor species traits, collecting genetic samples, and completing field surveys
- May assist in project planning, supervise and schedule work of other assistants or interns and provide mentorship
- May engage in projects that require a high level of understanding and may contribute to analysis, summation and interpretation of data
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Broad knowledge of ecological processes, such as the ability to conduct stream metabolism and TASCC nutrient addition experiments, etc
- Interest in working with a diverse team of scientists to understand their research and data collection and management needs
- Willing and able to live two months at the field sites, either at Toolik Field Station or camping, while leading and conducting scientific research
- Self-motivated and comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Possess technical skills as appropriate for the position (GIS, modeling, lab/field skills) and ambition to develop these skills
- May execute a variety of complex, non-routine research procedures with little supervision preferred
- Willingness to travel extensively during field season, work unusual schedules (up to 8 consecutive days), car camp, and live in rustic conditions for extended periods in remote areas of Alaska
- Careful attention to detail
- Demonstrated knowledge of terrestrial flora and aquatic organisms
- Comfort and familiarity with the use of computers
- Organization of field data and data entry into appropriate spatial and tabular databases
- Demonstrated proficiency in database management
- Coursework in statistical analysis and experience analyzing ecological data
- Experience working in streams and knowledge of stream/riparian ecology, required
- Demonstrates professional, respectful interpersonal skills when communicating with others, including team members, local communities, private landowners, and agency personnel
- May be a co-author of publications/presentations/technical documents
- Experience with species identification, including stream and streamside terrestrial ecosystem species and habitat assessments, preferred
- Experience with aerial photograph and topographic map interpretation, preferred
- Demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for eco-evolutionary interactions, preferred
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in ecology, biology, ecosystem science, natural resources, or a related field, or Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years experience (work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree), Master’s preferred
- 2+ years of relevant experience
Physical Requirements:
In the lab, the physical requirements of this role include:
- Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
- Ability to speak and hear
- Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time
- Frequent phone use required
- Ability to use computer
- Repetitive movements
- Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
- Ability to carry up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
- Ability to push/pull up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day
In the office:
- Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
- Ability to lift 25 pounds
- Ability to communicate, verbally and written
- Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
- Ability to use phone and computers
- Repetitive movements
In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:
- Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations
- Driving a vehicle or ATV to access field sites
- Walking, hiking, climbing to access field sites
- Paddling, canoeing to access field sites
- Standing and sitting for sustained periods
- Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling
- Reaching and lifting overhead
- Climbing ladders
- Use of manual and power tools including ice augers, shovels, saws, drills, and hammers
- Ability to lift up to 40lbs up to 10 times/day
- Ability to carry up to 40lbs up to 10 times/day
- Ability to push/pull up to 40lbs up to 10 times/day
- Ability to work in variable (snow, rain, high and low temperatures) weather conditions in remote locations, often under physically demanding circumstances.
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to hike long distances (5-8 miles) over rough terrain carrying up to 40 pounds of field equipment and field gear.
- Willingness to work long hours or extended periods in an isolated setting
Work Environment:
The functions of this role are conducted in:
- A variety of environments, both indoor and outdoor
- A lab environment
- A field environment
In the lab, this role may be exposed to:
- Harsh substances
- Allergens
In the field, this role may be exposed to:
- Extreme and prolonged temperatures, both hot and cold
- Extreme and prolonged weather conditions
- Extreme and prolonged darkness and brightness
- Harsh substances
- Allergens
Hours of Work:
● This role is paid on a salaried, exempt, basis.
● Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position. This may mean weekend hours and/or hours beyond 40 per week.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Application review will be ongoing
Desired Start Date: September 15, 2024
Fixed-term: 3 years
Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range is starting at $60,000 +, dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.
Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts
Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position, curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.
Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.
Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.
Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell
WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.
The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.
Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.
We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.