Careers @ MSU

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides technical support. Responsibilities may include computer programming or operations; research support; medical patient care; technical equipment maintenance, repair, fabrication or operation; or other technical support functions.

Unit Position Summary

Lab Technician Kellogg Biological Station (Hickory Corners, MI)

The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) is a scientific research organization working with local collaborators around the world to systematically map Earth’s mycorrhizal fungal networks, to understand the impact these networks have on ecological systems and climate, and to advocate for their protection. SPUN is catalyzing a global network of multidisciplinary researchers to explore, describe, and monitor underground biodiversity. We are mapping mycorrhizal fungi to understand their distribution and contributions to ecosystem function in some of the most remote, hard to access ecosystems on Earth. This data will fuel the development of new fungal-based climate solutions.

Technicians will assist in collecting soil cores from the Kellogg Biological Station Long Term Ecological Research (KBS LTER) plots on behalf of SPUN. We will be collecting 50 cores (25 at 0-30 cm and 25 at 85-105 cm). Technicians will be using soil cores, digging holes, properly labeling and storing samples and using standard sterile field techniques to avoid cross contamination

Desired Qualifications

Technicians will be assisting Holly Vander Stel by digging holes up to 105cm and collecting soil sample using best practices to avoid microbial contamination. They must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions for sample collection, display attention to detail and organization when handling samples, and capable of three days of manual digging deep holes in hot and humid conditions

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Paragraph describing interest/ experience in field and with manual labor.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Summary of Health Risks

Heat risk (breaks and water will be provided) physical hard from moving heavy equipment. 

Summary of Physical Demands

Employees will be working in hot and humid conditions. Must be able to dig holes down to 1 meter, lift items (coolers, soil, etc.) up to 40 lbs., and handle heavy sampling equipment (coring involves technique similar to post driver, repeated action)