The Damschen Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking multiple paid hourly research technicians for summer 2023. Job expectations and application instructions differ between positions. Please see more below.

Winter Climate Change Research Technician

Winter Climate Change Research Technicians will work under the supervision of graduate student Michelle Homann to maintain experimental treatments on an ongoing experiment investigating the impacts of prescribed fire and winter climate change on tallgrass prairie plant communities. This includes manipulating snow depth by shoveling during the winter months within 48 hours of major (10+ cm) snowfall events. The project’s field sites are at Mounds View Grassland near Blue Mounds, WI, a 40-minute drive and additional 30-minute snowshoe from the parking areas. The Damschen Lab will provide transportation, snowshoes, and shovels, but Technicians are expected to come prepared with warm clothes, waterproof boots, and lunch/snacks. All Research Technicians must be: (a) able to provide their typically weekly availability for scheduling purposes, (b) comfortable with strenuous activities and manual labor, (c) willing to work outside in winter conditions, and (d) able to take direction, learn from others, and maintain a positive attitude in a work setting. Starting hourly pay is $12.50 and includes travel time. Work hours vary but are typically 6- to 8-hour days every couple weeks. Only students currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are eligible for this paid opportunity. However, unpaid volunteers not enrolled at the University are welcome, too!

We will begin filling positions immediately. If interested, please fill out this Google Form to join our contact list. The Damschen Lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to consider working with us. Please see our full mission and values statement. Contact Michelle Homann at mhomann@wisc.edu with questions about the position or project.

Greenhouse Mesocosm Research Technician

Greenhouse Mesocosm Research Technicians will work under the supervision of graduate student Angelica Bautista to study the effects of climate change and fire history on seed survival using a greenhouse mesocosm experiment. The mesocosm will be housed at Walnut Street Greenhouse in Madison, WI. All Research Technicians will be trained and eventually independently expected to: (a) water greenhouse seed trays at least three times each week, (b) monitor geminates as they emerge from the seed trays, and (c) identify seedlings to species. Starting hourly pay is $13.00. Technicians are expected to commit to 40 hours/week from May through August and must provide their own transportation to and from the greenhouse.

We will begin reviewing applications on March 15, 2023, and will take additional applications on a rolling basis until the position(s) has been filled. To apply, please submit a CV and short introductory letter to abautista3@wisc.edu. The Damschen Lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to consider working with us. Please see our full mission and values statement. Contact Angelica Bautista at abautista3@wisc.edu with questions about the position or project.

Floral Resources Research Technician

Floral Resources Research Technicians will work under the supervision of postdoctoral researcher Stephanie McFarlane to study the effects of restoration on floral resources and pollen chemistry to information pollinator diversity. This position will begin in early June, is primarily field-based, and will include frequent travel to tallgrass prairie field sites in an around Madison, WI. Technicians will collect floral inflorescences in the field and measure various floral traits in the lab, including floral display size, floral unit abundance, and floral reward quantity and quality. Technicians will also be trained to collect plant community data at restored and remnant prairies. Only students currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are eligible for this paid opportunity. Previous field experience preferred, though not necessary.  Enthusiasm for plant conservation and ecology required! With all positions, there is an opportunity to develop your own research project and continue work in the lab during the academic year.

We will begin reviewing applications on March 15, 2023, and will take additional applications on a rolling basis until the position(s) has been filled. To apply, please fill out this Google Form. The Damschen Lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to consider working with us. Please see our full mission and values statement. Contact Stephanie McFarlane at mcfarlane@wisc.edu with questions about the position or project.