Archbold Biological Station’s Buck Island Ranch (BIR) seeks a full-time research assistant to contribute to research on the sustainability of grazing lands.

The research will be conducted at BIR, a biological station that operates as full-scale working cattle ranch providing a unique platform for long-term agroecology research. BIR is one of the 19 Long-term Agroecosystem Research sites https://ltar.ars.usda.gov/. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Elizabeth Boughton.

The research assistant will work on a variety of projects that collect data on the ecology of a working cattle ranch. Key objectives are to: (1) Collect data to characterize aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and the impact of innovative management regimes on ANPP; (2) Monitor long-term water quality on Buck Island Ranch and the impact of innovative management regimes on water quality; and, (3) Assist with soil sampling, sensor maintenance, plant diversity surveys, (4) Conduct lab work such as weighing biomass, grinding biomass, sieving soil (5) Enter and QAQC data.

The position

This is a non-tenured, full time, 12-month position, and can be renewed annually, contingent on performance and the availability of funds. Duties may change as contract or grant turnover occurs. Competitive salary with full benefits.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn basic ecological skills and gain experience in a wide range of research techniques and equipment, both in the field and in the laboratory, and data compilation, processing and analysis depending on experience. Field work includes soil, water and biomass (plant), and plant species composition samplings.

Required qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field; basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel).

Preferred qualifications

Research experience in the field and in the laboratory related to soil and water sampling; experience working on farms and with farmers; experience working in subtropical grasslands and/or wetlands.

The station

The position is located at BIR, a 10,500-acre cattle ranch near Lake Placid, FL, with shared housing available on site. Here are two documentaries about Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6_WhY3aZB0 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGV_G6dnYHg )