Jr. Research Assistant

Position Title:

Position Type:

Hiring Range:

$25.05 per hour, compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

A. POSITION PURPOSE 

Lab and field assistant to support grass functional trait research in the Sandel Lab, under the NSF project “Global change and the functional ecology of grasses”. 

B.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Functional Area 

The research assistant will participate in field work, laying out and surveying vegetation plots and collecting samples and measurements of grass leaves and stems

2. Functional Area 

The research assistant will contribute to lab tasks, including weighing samples, entering data, performing data management tasks (e.g. error checking) and maintaining organization.

C.  PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION 

Not applicable

D.  GENERAL GUIDELINES 

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services.

• Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement  of established processes and practices.

• Maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services.

• Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives.

• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.

• Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.

• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required.

• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

• Performs data collection tasks efficiently and with precision

E.  QUALIFICATIONS 

1. Knowledge 

Basic knowledge of field work, including vegetation survey techniques and leaf trait measurements.

Basic understanding of working safely in a low-hazard biology laboratory

2. Skills  

Basic familiarity with plant identification is helpful. Good organizational skills and comfort working in remote locations are also helpful.

3. Abilities 

• Work independently.

• Work cooperatively as part of a research team, including regular progress reports to supervisor   and other members of the laboratory.

• Keep detailed records of work in laboratory notebook

4. Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or closely aligned field preferred

5. Years of Experience 

• 2 years experience required

F.  PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

   The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an  employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the  Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and  all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with  disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other  requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or  without reasonable accommodation. Some work will be remote and require moderate hiking. 

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee  encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  

Work will be in the field (e.g. mountain grasslands in southern Arizona) and in a typical low-hazard lab environment.

EEO Statement​

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).     

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services  website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.