The Department of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) seeks a full time field research specialist in the Global Change Ecology and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry lab to work on related projects funded by the USDA and NSF. The overall goal of the USDA project is to determine the environmental and genetic potential for dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) to occur in Midwest agricultural soils under various management practices (e.g., perennial versus annual crop, fertilization, etc.). The overall goal of the NSF project is to improve mechanistic understanding of when, where, and why DNRA is an important nitrogen transformation process in upland, terrestrial ecosystems. Both projects utilize state-of-the-art stable isotope and molecular techniques, with the USDA project including fieldwork on local UIUC research farms and the NSF project focusing on laboratory experiments with soils collected from across the NSF Critical Zone Observatory network.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Major responsibilities in the field include the following: Sample soil pore water and trace gas fluxes Collect soil samples for laboratory experiments Major responsibilities in the laboratory include the following: Analyze soil, gas, and water samples Prepare reagents Conduct stable isotope pool dilution and tracer experiments Extract DNA and RNA from soils Maintain laboratory instrumentation related to this project (including a gas chromatograph and isotope ration mass spectrometer interfaced with a trace gas analyzer and elemental analyzer) Purchase and receive chemicals and scientific supplies related to this project May assist with data compilation and analysis Supervise undergraduate students assisting with this project including, but not limited to: Scheduling student hours; delegating tasks to students; serving as point-person for students' questions in lab; and ensuring quality of student work. QUALIFICATIONS Required: Bachelors degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field Prior field and laboratory experience in ecology Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel) Preferred: Research experience in the laboratory and in the field related to biogeochemistry (e.g., trace gas flux measurements, soil sampling, wet chemistry, gas chromatography) and molecular biology (e.g., DNA extraction, RNA extraction, PCR, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatics) SALARY AND APPOINTMENT INFORMATION This is a full-time, academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is a soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however no hiring decision will be made until after that date. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile through http://go.illinois.edu/FieldRschSpec and upload your cover letter detailing qualifications noted above and resume by September 7, 2017. Online application will require the names and contact information, including email addresses, for three professional references. Full consideration will be given to complete applications received by the closing date. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. For further information, please contact: Jana Lenz at janal...@illinois.edu. The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the Universitys commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wendy H. Yang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Departments of Plant Biology and Geology University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 265 Morrill Hall 505 S Goodwin Ave Urbana, IL 61801 Lab/Office: 639 Morrill Hall Office phone: 217-244-2614