Research Technician II (Finance)

Special Instructions to Applicants : In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

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Position Summary

Dr. Volker Rudolf's research groups in the Department of BioSciences are looking to hire a Research Technician II in the field of biology/ecology.

We are a community ecology group that studies the structure and dynamics of natural freshwater communities, with a focus on amphibians and invertebrates. The candidate will be part of an exciting NSF-funded project to study the role of phenological shifts and temperature changes on species interactions in pond communities. The successful candidate will be based at Rice University, Houston, TX, in the BioSciences department and work with the group led by Professor Volker Rudolf. Core responsibilities include day trips to field sites in National Forest in Southeast Texas to conduct pond community surveys and collect individuals for experiments, assist with setup and maintenance of mesocosm and laboratory experiments, process field and experiment samples, manage lab materials and supplies, and collect, enter, and manage data (R and Excel). They are also responsible for maintaining quality, safety, and animal care standards.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working outdoors and collecting data and samples from pond communities in rural areas and have experience setting up and maintaining mesocosm and lab experiments in freshwater systems. The candidate should have a background in ecology or related disciplines. Preference will be given to candidates with a BS or BA degree and experience working with freshwater communities and amphibians and are looking to stay on for the entire duration of the grant (approximately 3 years).

Workplace Requirements:

This is an in-person position at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The position may require occasional extended work hours (e.g., after 5:00 p.m. and/or weekends) to meet project deadlines. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Additionally, this position is term-limited and funded by a grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding. The initial appointment will be for one year, with a possible extension of up to three years. The salary is $20.00 to $22.00 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate's degree
• 3 years of experience in biology/ecology
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
  • Related experience gained as an undergraduate student and/or through internships is acceptable
• Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver's license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

Skills:

• Background in working with animals and freshwater communities
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet software, Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficiency in relevant math and research skills
• Good organization skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to listen and communicate (verbal, written)
• Ability to work independently and in team environments
• Ability to conduct, evaluate, and analyze data
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards

Preferences

• Research experience in freshwater ecology and handling amphibians, knowledge of data management in R

Essential Functions

• Assists in conducting research and experiments in field and laboratory settings in the area of ecology
• Collects, manages, and analyzes data using spreadsheets and databases
• Assists in the setup of the laboratory and day-to-day laboratory technical operations including promoting safety, maintaining equipment, creating kits, and/or preparing reagents
• Prepares procurement requests and orders materials and supplies, manages samples and stocks database, sets up and manages experiments, and maintains research results for publications
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Uphold animal care protocols and standards, and manage sampling permits

Working Conditions

• Must be willing to work outdoors collecting data and samples from pond communities in rural areas
• May require working outside regular hours, including evenings or weekends

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.