Bret-Harte Lab at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is seeking a summer lab (+ field) assistant. We are interested in how climate change affects vegetation and carbon balance in arctic tundra ecosystems.

This is primarily a labwork position. The main tasks are grinding, weighing, and preparing plant and soil samples for analysis in the lab, plus fieldwork at the Toolik Field Station (TFS; www.toolik.alaska.edu), 170 miles north of the arctic circle in Alaska in late June for about two weeks (and possibly one more time in August or September).

Qualifications:

• - Minimum two semesters(or equivelant) of college-level lab experience
• - Detail-oriented lab work skills without cross-contamination and understanding in lab safety
• - Willingness to learn and perform the assignments by following the instructions
• - Ability to work in a small team or independently but ask questions if necessary     
• - Accurate record-taking skills and responsible work ethics
• - Ability to work in various field conditions (e.g. coldness, rain/snow, lots of mosquitos)
• - Ability to carry heavy field equipment (30-40 lbs) during hiking over tundra for about one hour
• - Ability to work in a field longer than 10-12 hours per day (sometimes)
• - Need a valid US driver's license with a clean driving record
• - Provide own outdoor clothing/shoes/rain gear (including rain boots) and bug protection (net/bug shirt)
• - Follow the safety protocols and coronavirus safety procedures that TFS requires
• - Provide own insurance with emergency evacuation coverage (We will provide information on how to obtain this insurance, which is not expensive)

Preference:

• - Previous fieldwork experience or relevant experience in Alaska's backcountry
• - Knowledge in Alaskan plants, especially tundra species
• - Work 40 hours/week from mid-May to September (or August)

Benefits:

• - $13/hour for lab work or $520/week for fieldwork as a stipend
• - Improving your lab skills and gaining fieldwork experience
• - Flexible time for lab work
• - Opportunity to work based on TFS, which supports arctic ecology studies in various disciplines and hosts both national and international researchers
• - Transportation between UAF and TFS as well as room and board at TFS are provided

Not included:  Transportation/housing in Fairbanks; Air flights from/to Fairbanks (if coming from out of town)

Students interested in a career in ecology, wildlife biology, botany, natural resources management, or Alaskan/Northern studies are encouraged to apply. Recent graduates/graduating seniors are welcome.

Please submit a resume and three references (name, email, and phone number) to Kyoko Okano at kokano@alaska.edu. Review of applications will commence within a week and remain open until the position is filled. Please contact us with any questions.