Research Associate

Location: Ecosystem Science & Soc Center

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job ID: 608174

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation's preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

https://nau.edu/president/strategic-plan/

Special Information

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
• This position includes working outdoors in Alaska to collect data from long-term experimental field sites, including summer travel to Alaska, driving on dirt roads with four-wheel drive, driving of ATV quads on trails, travel in small aircraft, and extensive hiking through forest and tundra, often in inclement weather.
• This position also includes work with hazardous substances and procedures in the laboratory, such as purification of plant cellulose stock, that require knowledge of safety procedures and personal protection.

Job Description

NAU has an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate position in the Center for Ecosystem and Science and Society. The Research Associate independently schedules, performs, and summarizes ecological experiments and analyses in support of research goals, including both field and laboratory projects. They maintain lab and field equipment and inventories, develops, and improves techniques for analyses of dendrochronology, plant physiological ecology, and geospatial analyses.

This role develops and improves techniques for statistical modeling. Contributes to long-term planning of studies through involvement in grant writing activities. Analyzing, archiving, presenting, and publishing quantitative ecological data is important in this role. The Research Associate leads publications as a first author or participates as a supporting author, supervises part-time field technicians, and trains graduate and undergraduate students in field and laboratory techniques.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Field and Lab Work - 35%

In the field:

• Determines appropriate protocols or adjustments related to the type of experiment being conducted,
• Performs skilled procedures, tests, or analyses with a high degree of proficiency,
• Carries out extensive field work in remote, wilderness areas under inclement weather conditions,
• Maintains and inventories field equipment,
• Manages field safety protocols and procedure, and
• Maintains university fleet vehicles.

In the lab:

• Designs or modifies procedures, tests, analyses, or protocols,
• Coordinates lab processing of plant and soil materials collected in the field, from start to finish,
• Maintains and inventories lab equipment and schedules use, and
• Manages lab safety, organization, and cleanliness.

Information Management - 15%

• Plans and coordinates data collection and archiving,
• Analyzes data using statistical software,
• Prepares figures,
• Writes research reports, and
• Drafts materials for publication.

Supervision - 15%

• Trains graduate and undergraduate students and all other lab users in field and laboratory techniques, information management, and safety protocols, and
• Directs, mentors, and evaluates the work of field and lab assistants.

Quality Control - 10%

• Monitors research operating procedures for field and laboratory measurements and safety, and
• Monitors research operating procedures for field and laboratory measurements and safety, and
• Performs quality control checks to ensure procedures are followed.

Research Design - 10%

• Develops or guides ecological research activities in boreal forest and Arctic tundra ecosystems, including field campaign planning, data collection, evaluation, and analyses in both the field and laboratory.

Administrative Support - 5%

• Purchases lab and field supplies and make travel arrangements for field campaigns,
• Interfaces with Employee Service Center for purchasing and travel,
• Participates in hiring of field and lab assistants,
• Plans and schedules meetings with staff and collaborators for ongoing projects,
• Helps with agenda setting and maintains minutes for meetings, and
• Assists with the preparation of external grant proposals.

Independent Research - 5%

• Performs independent research and analyses on disturbance ecology and plant and soil chemistry using advanced methods or procedures.

Other - 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant discipline (e.g., Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Geography),
• Four to six years of research support experience, including work in field and lab.
• A combination of related education, experience and training may be used as an equivalent to the above educational Minimum Requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with statistical and geographical information system software is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of relevant research practices.
• Knowledge of research methods, protocols, data collection, and analysis.
• Knowledge of relevant research discipline.
• Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices related to the conduct of research.

Skills

• Technical understanding and proficiency related to conducting relevant research procedures.

Abilities

• Monitors and coordinates complex research activities with multiple components.
• Balances competing priorities and makes decisions regarding resource allocation.
• Organizes data and information and supports analysis; may conduct independent analysis or review.
• Communicates effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences, including external parties.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

Driving Requirement

Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver's license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the https://nau.edu/university-policy-library/motor-vehicle-use-for-university-business/ can be found on the NAU website.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an https://in.nau.edu/police-department/annual-security-and-fire-safety-reports/. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the https://in.nau.edu/police-department/annual-security-and-fire-safety-reports/ is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Anticipated salary range is $58,882 -$73,434. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the https://in.nau.edu/human-resources/benefits/. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each 6 months according to https://public.powerdms.com/ABOR/documents/1499270. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are https://in.nau.edu/human-resources/eligibility-enrollment/ on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. If a new employee chooses the ASRS retirement option, participation in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, will begin on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of the pay period following election. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following election.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. https://in.nau.edu/human-resources/orientation/ includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

January 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the https://in.nau.edu/human-resources/or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, http://[email protected], or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

https://in.nau.edu/Human-Resources/Posters-Required-by-Law/

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/5857929

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