The University of Virginia's Blandy Experimental Farm seeks a research technician to assist with plant and pollinator surveys at Monocacy National Battlefield and process samples at Blandy Experimental Farm. This is a 21-week position. Employment is from Mid March-Early August.

Blandy Experimental Farm is a 700-acre University of Virginia ecological field station located in the northern Shenandoah Valley, about 10 miles east of Winchester and 60 miles west of Washington, D.C. Its mission is to increase understanding of the natural environment through research and education. The State Arboretum of Virginia, located within Blandy Experimental Farm, is a public garden displaying more than 5500 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in a diversity of habitats including woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and open fields.

The research technician will be responsible for organizing supplies, carrying out field work, organizing data, and processing biological specimens for a National Park Service funded project, “Spring Bees of Monocacy National Battlefield.”

The employee in this position will:

Prepare datasheets, organize field equipment, input data into spreadsheets, and process insect and plant voucher specimens in the laboratory.

Conduct insect and plant collections in the field at Monocacy National Battlefield; record field data in field notebooks.

Prepare support materials, compare and assist with analyses of data and write reports. Assist with literature reviews.

Operate, adjust, and maintain specific scientific apparatuses and instruments. Order lab supplies and maintain inventory.

Record accurate information and logs of experimental data.

Provide routine, technical, and administrative support to research projects.

May provide logistical support to the study.

In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience: At least 1 year of lab experience, which may include student experience required.

Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or processing field materials. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work. Position requires walking over uneven terrain for up to 8 hours during field days under varied weather conditions and carrying up to 20 pounds.

More Information:

This is a 21-week position. Employment is from Mid March-Early August.

The anticipated hourly range for this position is $15-20 per hour.

Preference will be given to candidates with an undergraduate degree in natural sciences and some experience as a technician on a field research project.

Shared housing will be provided during fieldwork at Monocacy and at Blandy Experimental Farm as needed.

The position will remain open until it is filled.

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas and is not eligible for remote work.

This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

Questions related to the application process may be directed to Jen Krahn, Sr. HR Specialist, at jak8w@virginia.edu

Questions about this position? Contact T’ai Roulston at thr8z@virginia.edu

Application Instructions:

To apply, please submit an application online at https://jobs.virginia.edu and attach a current resume and cover letter. Search on requisition number: R0079488

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.