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 (echinaceaproject.org) 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:
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. |
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Seek to UNDERSTAND. We seek to understand others from their perspective. |
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See one another through a lens of RESILIENCE. We believe that all individuals can experience good outcomes with support. |
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Build TRUST through TRANSPARENCY. We hold ourselves and others accountable by centering decision-making that honors all people. |
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Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:
Physical Demands:
Work full days outdoors in adverse conditions, walk in uneven terrain, sometimes with objects heavier than 20 pounds, exhibit patience, pay attention to detail, possess good hand-eye coordination, and use fine motor skills. Work indoors using equipment including computers, scanners, dissecting scopes, insect pins, and silica gel desiccant.
Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.