The Clark lab is seeking several technicians for the 2009 field season. We are based in the Nicholas School of the Environment and the department of Biology at Duke University. We study plant community and forest ecology from a variety of perspectives, including plant demography, population genetics, plant-insect and plant-fungal interactions, and responses to disturbance and climate change. <http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/people/faculty/clark/> Our research sites are located in North Carolina, in the Duke Forest and at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in the southern Appalachians.
These are full-time (40h/week) temporary positions through August 2009. Applicants must be available in Durham during most of the period from May-August. At least two positions will be primarily lab-based, assisting with population genetics and molecular systematics projects molecular biology skills, especially experience with PCR and gel electrophoresis, are desirable. The other positions will be approximately 75% field-based, 25% data entry and analysis. Knowledge of the natural history of eastern forests, and experience using Microsoft Excel are all beneficial, but not required. There may be as much as 2 weeks of travel to the mountain-sites per month for field technicians. Applicants should be willing to work outdoors under a variety of field conditions. The salary is $9.00/hour. Housing, transportation, and reimbursement for meals are provided for trips to the field sites in the Appalachian Mountains. The successful applicant will need to secure their own housing in the Durham/Research Triangle area. The research technicians primary responsibilities will include, but are not be limited to, the following: For laboratory assistants: 1) Assist with collection and analysis of fungal DNA sequences for a study of seedling pathogen diversity. Harvesting experimental seedlings. 2) Collect microsatellite data for a study of dispersal and population genetics in red oak. This would entail leaf tissue collection, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification of microsatellite loci. For field assistants: 1) Assist with inventories of vegetation within forested study plots ranging in size from 1.5 to 4.5 hectares, and identifying and sorting tree seeds. 2) Collect data from a wireless network of environmental sensors, and performing simple maintenance. 3) Measure seedling growth and photosynthesis in warming-chamber experiment. 4) Assist in a study of insect impacts on seedling growth and survival. 5) Build and install probes that measure sapflow in tree stems. 6) Collect hemispherical photographs of forest canopies. Submit applications ASAP receipt before April 10 will guarantee full considerations. Applications received after that date will be considered if positions are still available. Application materials should include a cover letter of one page or less describing your background and interest in the position, and a resume that documents your relevant experience, skills, and abilities. Please submit these materials through e-mail as a single document to Emily Moran(see contact information below). Indicate whether you are interested in field or lab positions, or a combination of both. Feel free to contact us with any questions about the positions. Contact: Emily Moran [email protected]
