Research Assistant OR Research Associate - 607889

Job Title

Research Assistant OR Research Associate

Job ID

607889

Location

Ecosystem Science & Soc Center

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Favorite Job

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation's preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

Special Information

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Job Description

Northern Arizona University is seeking applications for researchers focused on the fate of permafrost carbon in a warming world. The research spans both field work and data synthesis, including a primary field location near Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The experimental research foci are (1) net ecosystem carbon exchange (eddy covariance) from a gradient of sites undergoing permafrost thaw, and (2) coupled radiocarbon measurements to detect loss of old carbon. Data from this site will be actively integrated by candidate swith a larger network of carbon flux measurements to develop an updateable time series of ecosystem exchange measurements across the permafrost region. The job duties require spending some time during the field season in Alaska, with winters spent in Flagstaff, AZ focused on data synthesis and networking. The positions will allocate field/synthesis time based on individual and project needs.

Research Assistant:

Research

• 55%

• Work collaboratively with research team in research activities including data collection, evaluation, and designing analyses to address primary research questions

• Design and implement research protocols and adapt standard procedures and methods, in particular focusing on preparing and analyzing samples for radiocarbon analysis.

• Participate in laboratory analyses in conjunction with staff scientists

• Read scientific literature, participate in scientific discussions with other members of the research team and lab, and attend mandatory lab and project meetings.

Data Metrics

• 20%

• Collect, curate, synthesize, and analyze research data

• Display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.

Grant & Management

• 10%

• Work within the grant-specific project requirements.

Academic/Lab/Community Liaison

• 10%

• Perform assigned lab duties to assist in the maintenance of equipment, supplies, reagents or the general operation of the analytical lab, and various other duties or projects as assigned - as appropriate to project goals.

• Work with lab members in sample processing and analysis.

• Promote an inclusive and welcoming work environment for all

Other

• 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Research Associate:

Research & Publications

• 45%

• Work collaboratively with research team in research activities including data collection, evaluation, and designing analyses to address primary research questions

• Lead data analysis, modeling, coding, and interpretation

• Design and implement research protocols and adapt standard procedures and methods, in particular focusing on preparing and analyzing samples for radiocarbon analysis.

• Participate in radiocarbon analysis in conjunction with staff scientists

• Read scientific literature, participate in scientific discussions with other members of the research team and lab, and attend mandatory lab and project meetings.

• Co-author or author research papers and manuscripts for publication and present them at conferences and workshops.

Data Metrics

• 30%

• Collect, curate, synthesize, and analyze research data

• Develop code, perform data analysis, and develop efficient data analysis pipelines and/or tools as appropriate to project goals.

• Display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data.

• Document and archive code using GitHub, or other version control software.

Grant & Management

• 10%

• Work within the grant-specific project requirements.

• Assist project PIs with managing grant funds according to sponsor specifications.

Academic/Lab/Community Liaison

• 10%

• Perform assigned lab duties to assist in the maintenance of equipment, supplies, reagents or the general operation of the analytical lab, and various other duties or projects as assigned - as appropriate to project goals.

• Work with science efforts including workshops, writing reports and public outreach documents in conjunction with other project personnel.

• Supervise team members taking measurements and synthesizing data

• Promote an inclusive and welcoming work environment for all

Other

• 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Research Assistant:

• BA in Climate Science, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant/Soil Science and/or a related discipline; and

• 2-4 years of research support experience; or

• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Research Associate:

• MA in Climate Science, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant/Soil Science and/or a related discipline; and

• 4-6 years of research support experience; or

• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Research Assistant:

• Masters in Climate Science, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant/Soil Science and/or a related discipline.

Research Associate:

• Masters or PhD in Climate Science, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Ecology, Plant/Soil Science and/or a related discipline.

• Record of publishing peer-reviewed research in scientific journals.Experience organizing and running workshop.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with the principles of gas exchange, eddy covariance equipment, Campbell data loggers.

• Expertise with quantitative statistical analyses and metadata processing in R or other programming languages.

Skills:

• Innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.

• Strong communication skills, as demonstrated by publications and presentations at professional meetings.

• Organizational and project management skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to work with datasets.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team and with individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to work with public datasets and develop databases and web tools.

• Ability to take initiative and complete tasks without direct supervision.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Research Assistant:

Salary range begins at $47,634. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Research Associate:

Salary range begins at $54,779. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

Research Assistant:

This is a Classified Staff (CLS) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System; paid vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. Classified Staff employees are in a probationary status for their first six months at NAU. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Additionally, new employees will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date.

Research Associate:

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

July 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Know Your Rights Poster

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.