Lab Manager - Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

The Isbell Biodiversity Lab invites applications for a full-time, temporary (1 year) lab manager to coordinate research activities at the University of Minnesota. During the summer field season, the position will be based at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve and will include establishing new field experiments, maintaining treatments for existing experiments, supervising a team of undergraduate researchers, sampling plants and soils in existing field experiments, and maintaining a network of trail cameras. Before and after the field season, the position will be based on the St. Paul campus, with occasional travel to Cedar Creek, and will include processing and archiving plant and soil samples, writing and revising sampling protocols, processing remote sensing data, updating a lab safety plan, ordering research supplies and equipment, managing and archiving data and metadata, assisting with hiring, assisting with grant reporting, and other special projects that support the lab group.

Our lab has several field research projects that consider effects of global changes (habitat fragmentation, biodiversity loss, drought, nutrient enrichment, and warming) on grassland and forest plant communities and ecosystem functioning. Our studies include, among others, a large habitat fragmentation experiment in grasslands (the RESCUE experiment), a tree diversity experiment replicated in several forests (the BetaDIV experiment), and a project considering how bison reintroduction is affecting oak trees in a savanna. Common measurements include plant biomass production, plant diversity, tree seedling survival and growth, soil moisture and temperature, and light availability. We also use drones to collect remote sensing data. This position will not be required to fly the drones, but will be responsible for processing and archiving the data collected, following existing protocols.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and abilities: strong organizational skills; ability to solve practical problems; ability to work independently and lead a team; project management skills; and the ability to multitask.

Breakdown of duties:
40% Supervise and Conduct Field Work: execute field work from planning to completion, including establishing and marking experimental plots, supervising undergraduate student researchers, maintaining experimental infrastructure, identifying and sampling plants, sampling soils, maintaining trail cameras, and archiving plants and soils; develop and update field safety plan
30% Supervise and Conduct Lab Work: sort plants by species; dry and weigh plants and soils; grind plants and soils; develop and implement new protocols (e.g., for sorting seeds); develop and update lab safety plan
20% Manage Data and Protocols: manage and formally archive data; process remote sensing data; manage images and classification data for the Eyes on the Wild citizen science project; write and revise sampling protocols; create and improve diagrams showing study design to ensure repeatability of sampling
10% Support Hiring, Reporting, and other Special Projects for the Lab Group: coordinate and fully participate in hiring committees (e.g., create position announcements, evaluate application materials, participate in interviews); prepare sections of grant reports; provide support for grant proposal and manuscript writing

Required qualifications:
BA/BA and at least 5 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience equal to 9 years or advanced degree plus 3 years of experience; experience conducting field research and identifying plant species; and supervisory experience

Preferred qualifications:
Graduate degree in ecology or related discipline at the time of appointment; experience designing and conducting field experiments, sampling plants and soils, supervising teams of field researchers, and managing and analyzing data, including remote sensing data; writing scientific publications, grant proposals, or both

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) faculty teach undergraduate classes, advise graduate students, and conduct research in the areas of ecology, evolution, and behavior. Check out the Faculty and research section to learn more about them and their intriguing research interests.

EEB is part of the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota and is one of the University's most highly-ranked units. The department is located in the Ecology Building on the St. Paul campus, but also has two major field stations where students and faculty conduct field research. Many of the research collections of the Bell Museum are also located in the Ecology Building, and the department is an affiliated department of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory.

The Isbell Biodiversity Lab seeks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Cedar Creek and beyond. Our vision is a future where biodiversity and the full diversity of people thrive. Our commitment is to be an inclusive place for research and community for people of all identities. We seek a lab manager who will contribute to these efforts and who embraces these commitments.

Pay Range: $28.85 an hour ($60,000 annually) to $33.65 an hour ($70,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. Please submit a cover letter, CV and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin on November 21, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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