Research Scientist 1 - Sensor Tech

Dr. Rudgers and Dr. Collins (Dept of Biology) at the University of New Mexico are seeking to fill a field-based research position at the level of Research Scientist I. This position has a large field ecology component and requires the ability to live for extended periods at the UNM Sevilleta Field Station near Socorro, New Mexico, during spring and fall data collection periods (up to five non-consecutive months per year) and to drive a field vehicle.

The primary responsibility of this research technician position is to work with other scientists to maintain experiments and sensors and collect and manage data for field-based experiments that include a climate warming experiment, a drought experiment, a precipitation regime experiment,  and five sites with a rainfall variability experiment.  Job duties will include maintaining soil moisture and temperature sensors, CO2 sensors, and meteorological stations, as well as building, maintaining and overseeing large field experiments to ensure data integrity, quality control, and protocol compliance.
The successful candidate will have the ability to repair and maintain research equipment and hike long distances in a desert environment carrying field equipment.  The position requires prior knowledge of how to operate and maintain field-based sensors (soil moisture, soil CO2 ), data loggers, radios, and GPS units. Prior experience with sensor software is preferred (e.g., LoggerNet, PuTTY, SoilFluxPro).  The ideal candidate will have experience with the construction and maintenance of photovoltaic power arrays and wiring, and general building and construction skills. Experience in electrical engineering is preferred.  Skills in data management and analysis, including the use of Excel and prior management of large databases is also preferred qualification.

This is a term position (two-year appointment) with renewal contingent upon performance.

Required Qualifications:

Experience with maintenance of experimental field infrastructure (e.g., rainfall experiments, power tools, trenching machines, drill press, making jigs, general construction).

Experience with maintenance of sensors and electrical engineering (CO2, soil moisture, soil temperature).

Experience with data loggers, and GPS units, and prior experience with sensor software (e.g., LoggerNet).

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Bachelor's degree; no previous experience required.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

BA/BS with GPA above 3.4.

Experience ensuring the quality and integrity of long-term data sets.

Experience with independent research in biology, including statistical analysis and experimental design.

Experience with GPS/GIS and spatial data processing and analysis.

       Familiarity with the flora of central New Mexico.

Experience with field botany and plant identification, including the use of dichotomous keys.

Experience with vegetation sampling methods, including line intercept and cover estimation using quadrats.

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html . Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.