POSITION: Andrews LTER Faculty Research Assistant
RANK: Faculty Research Assistant
LOCATION: H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Blue River, Oregon
POSITION AVAILABLE: October 1, 2011
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2011; please apply by June 10th for
full consideration
POSITION SUMMARY: The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society
invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term
Faculty Research Assistant position for the H.J. Andrews Experimental
Forest Long Term Ecological Research program
(http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/). The position is an opportunity
to become part of a vibrant research community and an internationally
recognized program. This Faculty Research Assistant contribute to long
term research at the Andrews Forest by applying expertise in field
deployed sensors and dataloggers, management of streaming, real- time
climatic and hydrologic data, as well as technical support of wireless
communications and local area computer networks. The Andrews Forest
Program has been a leader in adapting advanced sensor technology and
wireless communication for study of forest and stream ecosystems,
hydrology and climate. This position will support the Andrews Forest
current research program and infrastructure and leading adaptations to
new advances in technology.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest was
established by the U.S. Forest Service in 1948 in the western Cascade
Range of Oregon. The Andrews Forest has been part of the National
Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program since
1980, and is an international leader in studies of forest and stream
ecosystem dynamics. The Andrews LTER
(http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu)/ is one of the oldest of the 26
sites in the nationwide LTER-Network (http://www.lternet.edu/sites/).
Several dozen university and federal scientists use this LTER site for
research, working together to gain basic understanding of ecosystems and
to apply this new knowledge in management policy. The Andrews Forest is
managed as a partnership by the Pacific Northwest Research Station of
the Forest Service (PNW), Oregon State University (OSU) and the
Willamette National Forest. The Research Assistant will join a skilled
and highly motivated team dedicated to developing the research
infrastructure, core measurement program and information management
systems at the Forest.
The Andrews Forest is located in the Willamette National Forest near
Blue River, Oregon. The 15,800-acre property encompasses the drainage
basin of Lookout Creek, a tributary of Blue River and the McKenzie
River. Broadly representative of the rugged mountainous landscape of
the Pacific Northwest, the Andrews Forest contains excellent examples of
the region's old-growth conifer forests and associated wildlife and
stream ecosystems. The Andrews Headquarters is within commuting distance
(45 miles) of the Springfield/Eugene urban center, as well as numerous
communities along the scenic McKenzie River corridor. The Central
Cascade Mountains offer outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities,
including world-class fishing, hiking and skiing. Ocean beaches, high
desert and the urban amenities of Portland are all within a 2- or 3-hour
drive.
OSU has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, multiculturalism,
and community and actively engages in recruiting and retaining a diverse
workforce and student body that includes members of historically
underrepresented groups. The university strives to build and sustain a
welcoming and supportive campus environment. OSU provides outstanding
leadership opportunities for people interested in promoting and
enhancing diversity, nurturing creativity, and building community.
POSITION DUTIES (see
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=253053
for details):
• Responsible for data management and quality control of massive
climatic and hydrological data streams from Andrews Long-term ecological
research program. This data is at the core of the Andrews research
program, is available online, and is used by hundreds of researchers and
students.
• Serves as the primary resource for technical support of wireless
communication networks at the Andrews Forest and provides technical
support and advice for meteorological and hydrological measurement
networks.
• Provides local area network (LAN) administration and support for
the Andrews Experimental Forest Headquarters, including configuring
system, maintaining and upgrading hardware and software, establishing
protocols for network security and backup, responding to LAN problems.
MINIMUM/REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree and demonstrated experience in forestry, ecology,
hydrology, meteorology or a similar field with an emphasis on field
research using advanced technologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in programming field-based sensor networks,
radio telemetry, data loggers, and other equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and use computer programs for
quality assurance and archiving of large data sets.
• Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of personal computers and
workstations, LANs, and statistics.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstrated experience with collecting, quality-checking, and
archiving climate and hydrologic data.
• Demonstrated experience with operating, ordering and testing field
and computer equipment.
• Familiarity with the research proposal process. MS in a related
field (as above) preferred.
• Experience working within research budget constraints and carefully
tracking expenses.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS:
This is a fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. The position
will be based on a yearly contract which will be re-negotiated each year
pending availability of resources and satisfactory job performance.
Beginning salary will be commensurate with professional qualifications.
Benefits include state retirement, group health, dental, life and
disability, reduced tuition rates for employee or dependent at Oregon
University Systems schools (restrictions apply), annual leave and sick
leave.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
See posting number 0007205 at Oregon State University Jobs:
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=253053
For questions about the position, contact Dr. Mark Schulze
(541-822-6336 or [email protected]).
For questions regarding the application process, contact Jeannette
Harper (541-737-6554 or [email protected]).
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Applicants will be required to upload 1) Resume/CV (upload to
Resume/Vita), 2) Cover Letter (upload to Cover Letter) and 3) contact
information for 3 professional references (Upload as Other Document, if
not included in the Resume/Vita), and 4) Transcripts (official or
unofficial). The online application system will allow you to attach your
transcripts (Optional Document) if the PDF file is 5MB or less. If over
5MB in size, submit to contact person listed. Transcripts must be
received by the closing date.
