Lab and Research Assistant - Student Asst 2
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO ALL ACTIVE UC MERCED STUDENTS (INCLUDING FEDERAL WORK STUDY ELIGIBLE).
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Hours Per Week: 40
Background Check: No
PHYSICAL WORK LOCATION: On Campus
Description:
The Blois Lab is looking for an undergraduate research assistant during the summer of 2023. The research assistant will work directly with graduate student Reina Warnert on various projects related to small mammal communities in Yosemite National Park. This position will provide valuable field experience to individuals hoping to explore career options in biology and ecology.
This is a field position, and will be based primarily up in Yosemite (we have arranged housing at the Yosemite Field Station in Wawona), with occasional trips to campus as needed.
This position will involve a variety of different activities at Yosemite National Park and on campus. The research assistant will be trained in all work, and all activities involving small mammals in particular will be conducted jointly and under close supervision. At no point will the field assistant be expected to perform field research independently.
Activities may include:
• Field-based work, including:
- surveying for appropriate field sites
- small mammal surveys, possibly both direct (live-trapping) and indirect (camera trapping) methods, which will entail handling small mammals.
- vegetation surveys, including quantifying percent canopy and ground cover, identifying primary vegetation type, and sampling vegetation.
- maintaining field notebooks and research protocols
• Lab-based work focused on isotopic sampling
• Computational-based work, including:
- conducting literature searches
- coding/statistical analysis in R
Field work activities will include:
• extensive hiking to, from and within study sites
• working early mornings and odd hours
The balance of activities throughout the summer will depend on when permits are obtained. Shared lodging will be provided for the duration of the position at the Yosemite Field Station in Wawona; some campus-based or remote work may be necessary. Some camping, for up to 5 nights at a time, may be required.
Qualifications:
Requirements:
• Enthusiastic about working in an outdoor environment, for long and/or odd hours.
• Good attitude, desire to learn, and willingness to adapt to changing situations.
• Interest in ecology and/or field biology
• Physical fitness: must be able to walk long distances, bend over and squat repetitively, lift 30+ lbs
• Ability to manage transportation needs between the Yosemite Field Station in Wawona, nearby towns, and campus, as necessary for personal needs such as travel in non-working hours, grocery shopping, etc. Transportation can be managed via personal transportation, willingness to use public transit, or ability to arrange other transportation. Transportation to field sites will be arranged with supervisor.
Desired Qualifications:
• General knowledge of biology and ecology, prior coursework in ecology.
• Experience working cooperatively/as a team under pressure or in stressful situations.
• Experience in outdoor settings, including camping, hiking, or backpacking, esp. in the California Sierra Nevada.
• Experience working in research, in the field or lab.
• Experience conducting literature searches and coding/statistical analysis in R. or park
Please contact Jessica Blois @ jblois@ucmerced.edu for more information.
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The University of California at Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff and students.
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