Damschen Lab Summer Research Technician positions available!

Plant Ecology in a Changing Landscape

The Damschen Lab in the Integrative Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now accepting applications for full-time field/lab assistant positions to begin around June 1st, 2025, or earlier, and continue through the summer. All positions listed below are based in Madison, Wisconsin with frequent travel around Southern Wisconsin. Previous field experience is preferred, though not necessary.  Enthusiasm for plant conservation and ecology required! Pay for these positions generally starts at $14/hour.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our lab values the contributions of each lab member and respects the variety of ways that identity, culture, background, experience, status, and perspective enrich the research we conduct. Our lab aims to make science and ecology more inclusive of people of all identities, and we strongly encourage people of color, and people of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds to apply.

Requirements for all field-based positions:

  • Valid US driver’s license and ability to obtain driver authorization from UW Risk Management: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/risk_mgt/drivetable.html.
  • Coursework or interest in ecology, biology, botany or related fields.
  • Experience with or willingness to learn plant ID and processing techniques.
  • Enjoy being outside, comfortable working in hot/humid conditions.

TO APPLY VISIT – https://tinyurl.com/DamschenTechs2025

Project Title: Functional Trait Technician

Functional trait technicians will aid in the processing of plant functional traits for species from Wisconsin natural areas and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Work includes weekly plant collections in remnant prairies and savannahs in southern Wisconsin, making plant measurements in the lab (e.g. seed coat thickness, SLA, plant height, etc.), and helping out with various other projects in the lab. We are hiring up to two people for 12 weeks for this position, beginning mid-May/early June.

Project Title: Prairie Plant Community Research Technician

Prairie plant community research technicians will aid in collecting biomass and plant community data in a prairie restoration at Mounds View Grassland. This work will include marking plots, cutting and sorting stems, drying and weighing samples, visually estimating the percent cover of plants, and helping out with other projects in the lab. We are hiring one person full-time for 12 weeks beginning in mid-May/early June.

Project Title: Biodiversity Survey Technician

Aid in setting up and collecting data in a long-term biodiversity monitoring program for the Lakeshore Nature Preserve at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Work will include plot setup, data collection for plants, birds, and/or bats. Work may include assistance with developing public outreach materials and planning bioblitzes. We are hiring two people full-time for 12 weeks, beginning mid-May/early June.

Project Title: Restoration Technician

Assist with setting up a community assembly and restoration distributed experiment. The position involves site preparation (including herbicide application and tilling), vegetation and soil sampling, seed collection, and the collection of abiotic data (e.g., temperature, humidity, light). We are hiring one full-time technician for 12 weeks beginning early June.