Junior Scientist (2 positions available)

Positions:  We have two full-time junior scientist positions available.  The working title for these positions is “field research supervisor”.  The work will be investigating the impacts “working prairies” will have on Minnesota’s wildlife. 

Duration: Up to 2 years, or longer pending funding. 

Duties:
25%  Locate and organize field sites across Minnesota.  This includes communicating with such agencies and non-governmental organizations as the Minnesota DNR, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Nature Conservancy, for land use and harvesting.  Also includes driving to sites for field checks.

55% Hire, train and supervise 6 to 10 seasonal student interns for plot surveys across Minnesota.  These surveys will include, but not be limitted to plants, insects, birds, and mammals. 

20% Organize and check data for quality, and other duties as required.

Project background: The increasing demand for biofuels poses a threat to wildlife and wildlife habitat. This project seeks to reduce or reverse that threat by determining how native prairies can be established on degraded farmland and harvested for biofuel in such a way that the new biofuel lands themselves become new wildlife habitat.

Required: BA/BS degree in a science field with coursework in biology, natural resources, and/or agriculture, or equivalent education in science and work experience related to the job, totaling at least four years in combination. 

Preferred: Related degree with experience in one or more of the following areas: tallgrass prairie plants, insect identification, small and large mammal studies, and/or bird surveys.  Demonstrated ability to work independently and follow specific protocols. 

Program/Unit Description: The work is headquartered at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (formally Cedar Creek Natural History Area), a field station managed by Ecology Evolution and Behavior Department in the College of Biological Sciences. The work will be conducted across the state.

Application Instructions: Apply online at the University of Minnesota’s employment site, using requisition number 153744.  Please attach a resume, cover letter and name of three references when applying.  For specific questions please contact Troy Mielke (research coordinator) at mielk007@umn.edu or call 763-434-5131. Application deadline is March 31, 2008. Active work begins July 1, 2008, but related work may be available earlier.