Assistant Researcher
Position Overview
The Bever Schultz Lab at the Kansas Biological Survey seeks to hire a full-time lab research assistant to support projects in our lab with a focus in the ecology and evolution of plant-microbiome interactions.
The research assistant will be primarily responsible for molecular analyses of plant and soil microbiomes, working with our international arbuscular mycorrhizal culture (INVAM) collection and fungal lab cultures, and greenhouse management. A successful candidate will have knowledge of molecular techniques (including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequence analysis), fundamental skills in laboratory protocols and safety, and be extremely organized and efficient with time management.
The research assistant will be primarily responsible for molecular analyses of plant and soil microbiomes, working with our international arbuscular mycorrhizal culture (INVAM) collection and fungal lab cultures, and greenhouse management. A successful candidate will have knowledge of molecular techniques (including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequence analysis), fundamental skills in laboratory protocols and safety, and be extremely organized and efficient with time management.
Job Description
30% - Molecular Research
30% - Support the maintenance of the International Vesicular Arbuscular Culture Collection (INVAM) and fungal lab cultures.
30% - Greenhouse support and management
10% - Laboratory Management
- DNA extraction, amplification, quantification, and purification. Preparation of samples for illumina sequencing. Assist in sequence analysis and analyses of plant microbiome experiments, as well as supporting other lab activities as necessary.
- Data management and reporting.
30% - Support the maintenance of the International Vesicular Arbuscular Culture Collection (INVAM) and fungal lab cultures.
- Includes the extraction and characterization of fungal spores and plant roots.
- Harvesting of greenhouse fungal collections.
30% - Greenhouse support and management
- Assist graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and/or fellow with set up and maintenance of greenhouse experiments.
- Assist with pest prevention and treatment in greenhouses.
10% - Laboratory Management
- Ordering supplies and managing systems to allow efficient operation of laboratory spaces.
- Maintain and produce documents on laboratory operating procedures.
- Assist with supervision of undergrad research assistants.
Position Requirements
This position works on-site but remote work may be considered per mutual agreement between the department and select candidate.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in molecular biology, genetics, biology, botany, ecology, agronomy, range science or related field.
- Academic or industrial laboratory experience (minimum 6 months) in biology, botany, ecology, agronomy, range science or related field, as evidenced in application materials.
- Demonstrated aptitude of molecular techniques and sterile techniques outlined in application material.
- Demonstrated experience with the use of microscopes and basic laboratory safety protocols as demonstrated by previous work experience.
- Ability to maintain attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks and follow standard protocols, as evidenced in application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
- Experience with bioinformatics.
- Experience working in greenhouse or plant nurseries.
- Skills pertaining to the staining and characterizing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) root colonization, extracting and collection of AMF spores or creating microscope vouchers slides.
- Good written communication skills as demonstrated by application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application consists of the following (1) Completion of the online application, (2) resume, (3) Cover letter, (4) Names and contact information for three professional references.
Only complete applications will be considered. Application review begins March 25, 2024; submit application by Monday, March 25, 2024 for first consideration. Application review will be ongoing until the position is filled.
Only complete applications will be considered. Application review begins March 25, 2024; submit application by Monday, March 25, 2024 for first consideration. Application review will be ongoing until the position is filled.
Contact Information to Applicants
Peggy Schultz
pschultz@ku.edu
Jaide Hawkins
jaide.hawkins@ku.edu
pschultz@ku.edu
Jaide Hawkins
jaide.hawkins@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$40,000.00/year
Application Review Begins
Monday March 25, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Wednesday May 1, 2024