Research Scientist 2 - Webster

The Webster Watershed Resilience Lab (http://alexjwebster.weebly.com/) and Hurteau Earth Systems Ecology Lab (http://www.hurteaulab.org/) at the University of New Mexico jointly seek applications for a Research Scientist 2 position. The position will be focused on a new project studying the impact of prescribed fire on water quality in headwater watersheds in the southern Sierra Nevada (CA). We are looking for a motivated and organized person with a background in forest ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or watershed science to join our team.

Duties include (1) leading summer field campaigns at the Teakettle Experimental Forest, including water sampling, off-trail hiking, maintaining automated water quality samplers (ISCOs), taking stream discharge measurements, conducting fuel surveys, and supervising one seasonal technician who will assist work (~50% of time); (2) running analytical equipment to analyze water sample chemistry, managing data, and maintaining lab and project organization in the Webster Lab at the University of New Mexico (~30% of time); (3) contributing to data analysis, project reporting requirements, and manuscript preparation (~10% of time); (4) assisting other research in the Webster and Hurteau Labs (~10% of time).

This position will be based at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM (see http://alexjwebster.weebly.com/join-us.html for more information). The successful applicant will be based in Albuquerque approximately October-April, and in the Teakettle Experimental Forest approximately May-September each year. The Teakettle Experimental Forest is located in the southern Sierra Nevada, California at ~7000 feet elevation. While working in the field this individual will have access to a facility with a kitchen and bathrooms but will be sleeping in a tent. Teakettle is a 45-minute drive from the nearest town and is off-grid, but does have solar power and running water. A robust community of researchers are present at the field station throughout the summer months.

The position is available starting as soon as August 1, 2024 and will be hired on a one-year contract with the expectation of renewal for two additional years pending satisfactory performance. Options to pursue a masters' degree in the UNM Department of Biology while working are possible for exceptional candidates.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check. Additional health screenings may be required, dependent on the nature of the research conducted, as determined by Employee Occupational Health Services.

Bachelor's degree; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

1. Masters in biological sciences, geosciences, hydrology, water resources, or closely related field

2. Experience with environmental sensors and instruments

3. Experience with conducting forest fuel surveys

4. Extensive experience with analytical chemistry techniques and instrumentation

5. Experience with command line analysis in R or Python

6. Excellent English verbal communication skills

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.