|
Department Overview:
|
The Dryland Ecosystem Ecology lab studies how environmental change affects dryland ecosystems, including plants, soils, microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and ecological restoration. Our research combines laboratory and field methods to understand ecosystem responses to changing climate and land use. |
|
Anticipated Start Date:
|
September 2, 2026 |
|
Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):
|
|
|
Remote Work Eligibility Detail:
|
Not Remote
|
|
Anticipated Hours Per Week:
|
Minimum: 1 Maximum: 40 |
|
Schedule:
|
During Fall semester 2026, the student will work approximately one hour per week in the Young Lab in Birge Hall at a mutually agreed-upon time. The selected student must also be available to travel with the research team to the Island of Hawaiʻi for approximately one week in early January 2027. Hours during the field trip will vary depending on the daily research, travel, and field schedule. Exact travel dates will be communicated after hiring is finalized. |
|
Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:
|
Minimum: $15.00 |
|
Number of Positions:
|
1 |
|
Qualifications:
|
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled as a UW–Madison undergraduate student during Fall 2026.
- Be available for laboratory work during the Fall 2026 semester.
- Be available to travel to Hawaiʻi for approximately one week in early January 2027.
- Be willing to complete required university travel and safety documentation.
- Be able to follow detailed written and verbal research protocols.
Coursework or experience in biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource science, botany, soil science, or a related field is preferred. Training will be provided. |
|
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
|
The successful applicant will demonstrate:
- Strong attention to detail.
- Reliability and consistent attendance.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks carefully and accurately.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Careful recordkeeping and commitment to scientific integrity.
- Ability to work independently after training.
- Willingness to ask questions when instructions are unclear.
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other students.
- Flexibility and professionalism during field research and university-sponsored travel.
- Ability to maintain an organized and safe laboratory workspace.
|
|
Position Summary/Job Duties:
|
The undergraduate research assistant will construct decomposition bags during Fall 2026 and assist with filling and deploying them during a one-week field-research trip to Hawaiʻi in January 2027.
Fall laboratory duties:
- Measure, mark, fold, cut, and heat-seal window-screen material according to the project protocol.
- Use templates to maintain consistent bag dimensions.
- Inspect seals and repair or replace bags as needed.
- Label, organize, inventory, and store completed empty bags.
- Maintain a clean and organized workspace.
- Communicate progress, supply needs, and questions to the supervisor.
Hawaiʻi field duties:
- Travel with the research team for approximately one week.
- Help organize and transport litter bags and field supplies.
- Assist with filling, sealing, and deploying litter bags according to the experimental design.
- Secure bags and attach or verify identification tags.
- Record bag numbers, plot information, GPS locations, and field observations.
- Check that bags are placed, labeled, and documented correctly.
- Follow field-safety, site-access, environmental-protection, and university travel requirements.
- Participate in additional daily research as needed.
|
|
Physical Demands:
|
The position may require:
- Sitting or standing for extended periods while constructing litter bags.
- Repetitive use of scissors, measuring tools, and heat-sealing equipment.
- Careful handling of fiberglass window-screen material.
- Lifting and carrying research materials weighing up to approximately 25 pounds.
- Walking over uneven outdoor terrain.
- Bending, kneeling, or crouching while deploying litter bags.
- Working outdoors in warm, humid, rainy, windy, or sunny conditions.
- Traveling by airplane and vehicle.
|
|
Institutional Statements:
|
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu
Accommodation Statement:
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
|
