North Logan, Utah, US
Conservation science
The Environmental Biogeochemistry and Paleolimnology Lab at Utah State University led by Dr. Janice Brahney is seeking a full-time laboratory technician.
Our group researches the effect of climate change and direct anthropogenic disturbances on aquatic ecosystems. We analyze water, sediment, soil, organism, and atmospheric dust samples for elemental composition and occasionally work with algae and zooplankton (https://janicebrahney.weebly.com). Example projects include in the role of dust in fertilizing primary and secondary production in lake systems, the role of glacier recession and phenology on nutrient status and community composition in mountain lakes and rivers, paleolimnologic reconstruction of impaired lake systems, climate change impacts on catchment processes, the influence of beaver ponds on C, N, P, and metal cycling, plastic pollution, and contaminant transport through the atmosphere. The technician will also work with and assist associated faculty and their students in the Quinney College of Natural Resources who require the use of the facilities.
Salary is commensurate with experience. More information can be found here: https://www.usu.edu/hr/compensation/index. Benefits include health (medical and dental) insurance and a retirement plan to which the university contributes an amount equal to 14.2% of your gross salary, immediately vested and without requiring employee contributions.
The position has a start date of July 1, 2022 and will be initially for one year with the intention for the technician to stay on a long term basis. The position will be hired at either Level II or Level III - see below for qualifications.
Learn to use laboratory and field instrumentation to assist students and postdocs
Operate instruments in the lab including a Lachat FIA/IC, Skalar TOC/TN, and a GC/MS for students, USU researchers, and external contracts
Train students on methods used in the lab and in the field
Ensure safety standards are met and students are operating to code, maintain an inventory of laboratory supplies/consumables.
Assist with field research activities
Actively participate in research activities including method development, lab meetings, workshops, and seminars.
Manage the use of the facilities by external faculty and students
For Lab Technician II: Two years of experience; or an associate degree/vocational training; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.
For Lab Technician III: Four years of experience; or an associate degree plus two years of experience; or a bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of education plus experience is required.
Analytical laboratory experience in the biogeosciences is required.
A B.S. or M.S. in biogeochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, ecology, environmental sciences, or a closely related discipline
Familiarity with some of the following Flow-Injection Analyses, Ion Chromatography, Spectrophotometry, Fluorometry, Gas Chromatography, and digestion methods
Experience with fieldwork
Along with the online application, please attach:
Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the candidate profile under "Resume/CV".
Names and contact information for three references to be provided at the beginning of your application in the candidate profile.
Cover letter should be typed/pasted at the end of the application process. In your cover letter, please indicate why you are interested in the position, are a good fit, and how your experience meets the desired required and preferred qualifications.
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits
This position requires moderate physical activity, including the handling of average weight objects up to 25 pounds and/or standing or walking more than four hours per day. Employees are exposed to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. The work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
The Department of Watershed Sciences is a powerhouse in the science of 'wet' ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and the watersheds that feed them. We are deeply committed to making that science useful for wise planning, management, and restoration, and are well-positioned to study and solve complex, interdisciplinary problems with our cadre of ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and others.
As one of the most productive research entities at Utah State University, we are engaged in a wide variety of fundamental and applied projects. Our research spans some of the most remote and wildest parts of the world to densely populated urban areas. While much of our research is focused on specific watershed systems, we are informing policy and management at the scale of some of the largest and most charismatic resources in the world, including the Mississippi, Columbia, and Colorado rivers, the Mekong Delta, and the Great Barrier Reef. Some of the big questions that cut across our research groups include:
How do climate, geomorphology, biogeochemistry and hydrology interact to influence biodiversity and species interactions at different spatial scales?
How is global climate and environmental change manifesting at regional and local scales? What are the implications for water availability, aquatic biodiversity and species interactions, water quality, and recreation?
How have humans modified water, sediment and nutrient dynamics? How do specific policy and management practices affect ecosystem health and resilience?
How can we most effectively and sustainably restore the structure and function of lake, wetland, stream and riverscape ecosystems?
We have a very supportive and inclusive culture in the department. Diversity enhances our research, teaching, and outreach contributions by infusing our community with a variety of ways to understand the world, identify challenges, and deliver solutions. We welcome opportunities to engage with traditional knowledge and we continually strive to provide a safe environment that is open to all. We support and seek to live out Utah State University's statements on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Land Acknowledgement.
About Logan
Logan, Utah is situated at the foot of the picturesque and easily accessible Bear River Mountain Range, just across from the rugged Wellsville Mountains, about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Logan is consistently ranked among the safest small cities in America, and outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains. We are also just a few hours away from the red rock country of southern Utah, the wild Uinta and Wind River ranges, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. The view outside our windows reminds us daily of our charge to better understand and conserve our natural resources.
Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah's land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 "very high research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.
USU's statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employees 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master's and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.
A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.
The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.
USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.
USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.
USU Land Acknowledgment
Please visit our website to learn about Utah State's land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Hilary Renshaw, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov
U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov
*Updated 08/2022