1) RESEARCH MANAGER POSITION
We seek to hire a Research Manager to work within a long-term landscape fragmentation experiment (SRS Corridor Project) to understand the long-term impacts of habitat connectivity on plant community assembly and diversity. This position will be based full-time at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. The position involves vegetation and soil sampling, collection of plant functional traits, and establishment and monitoring of experiments to evaluate the effects of connectivity on community assembly in longleaf pine understories. The Research Manager will interact closely with the PIs, Ellen Damschen and John Orrock (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lars Brudvig and Nick Haddad (Michigan State University), Julian Resasco (University of Colorado-Boulder) and other members of the research group including undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, technicians, and local U.S. Forest Service resource managers.
Bachelor’s Degree in ecology or a similar field of study required. Master’s Degree in ecology or similar field of study preferred.
Required qualifications: Ability to taxonomically identify species of plants, experience conducting different types of vegetation surveys and field experiments, experience supervising field assistants and serving as a mentor, experience serving as a research leader and collaborator, ability to engage with and present information to management partners, experience managing and analyzing ecological community data.
Preferred Qualification: Deep botanical knowledge of the longleaf pine flora.
Salary will be approximately $39,400/yr. depending on qualifications.
Must submit Research Manager applications through Jobs@UW: https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/515862/research-manager- You will need to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references, including your current supervisor. References will not be contacted without advance notice. Your cover letter should address your qualifications as they pertain to the qualifications listed above. For questions on the position, contact: Ellen Damschen at damschen@wisc.edu . Applications must be submitted through the Jobs@UW link above. Emailed applications for this Research Manager position will not be reviewed.
2) MULTIPLE FIELD RESEARCH TECHNICIAN POSITIONS
We seek to hire multiple temporary field research technicians to work within a landscape fragmentation experiment to understand the long-term impacts of habitat connectivity on plant community assembly and diversity. The successful candidate will be based at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. Job duties will focus on maintenance of experimental sites to control woody vegetation and maintain open habitat structure including the use of herbicide and brush saws. Additional duties will include vegetative plant community data collection and management. Training will be provided to accomplish these tasks.
Field research technicians will interact closely with other research technicians at the site; other members of the research group including graduate students, postdocs, and local US Forest Service resource managers; and the project PIs Ellen Damschen (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lars Brudvig (Michigan State University), Nick Haddad (Michigan State University), John Orrock (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Julian Resasco (University of Colorado-Boulder).
Positions are temporary, starting as soon as possible for up to six months at $15/hr. Research Technicians will work at the Savannah River Site, live in a town near the site (e.g., Aiken, SC; Augusta, GA), and will work with seasonal technicians, students, and project PIs who live both near the site and elsewhere. Housing is not provided. There may be flexibility for the start date if needed. Additional opportunities may become available with our research group.
Minimum requirements: A Bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resources, or a similar field of study; previous field experience; ability to quickly learn southeastern plant species; willingness to work with herbicide and brush saws to clear vegetation; the ability to work full days under arduous (hot/humid, brushy) field conditions; a valid driver’s license; and ability to obtain driver’s authorization for university and federal vehicles.
Because the Savannah River Site is a highly secure area run by the U.S. Department of Energy, non-United States citizens may have difficulty gaining clearance to work there. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse groups. The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
To apply, please send an email with “Research Technician Application” in the subject line and attach: 1) a CV; 2) a cover letter describing past experience, why you are a strong candidate for this position, dates of availability; and 3) contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for two references to Ellen Damschen at damschen@wisc.edu. Applications must be submitted by email for these temporary Field Research Technician positions.
3) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITION – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND CONNECTIVITY
The Corridor Research Group (a multi-university / US Forest Service collaboration) is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Researcher to help lead a long-term and large-scale habitat fragmentation experiment seeking to understand the impacts of habitat connectivity on plant community assembly and diversity. The successful candidate will be based at the Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina, coordinate collaborative research, and work with a collegial set of faculty mentors. This position includes significant opportunities to initiate an independent research program with support from the participating investigators, and requires strong interpersonal skills, as the postdoc will help coordinate NSF-funded collaborative research involving multiple universities and the US Forest Service.
The postdoc will interact closely with the US Forest Service Research Manager; field research technicians; other members of the research group, including graduate students, postdocs, and local US Forest Service resource managers; and the project PIs Ellen Damschen (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lars Brudvig (Michigan State University), Nick Haddad (Michigan State University), John Orrock (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Julian Resasco (University of Colorado-Boulder).
The initial position will be for one year with possibility of renewal for a second year. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The postdoc will work at the Savannah River Site, live in a city near the site (e.g., Aiken, SC; Augusta, GA), and will work with the Research Manager, seasonal technicians, students, and project PIs who live both near the site and elsewhere. Housing is not provided. The start date is flexible. In addition to offering an outstanding quality of life (the area is consistently ranked as one of the best places to retire in the US), the study area also features outstanding year-round outdoor opportunities (e.g., Congaree National Wildlife Area, Hunting Island State Park). In addition to outstanding opportunities to interact with project PIs and federal scientists at the US Forest Service, several thriving academic institutions are located on-site or nearby (e.g., University of South Carolina, University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab).
Minimum requirements: A Ph.D. degree in ecology, evolution, or a similar field of study; research interests in line with goals of project; previous field experience; ability to quickly learn species from the longleaf pine ecosystem; the ability to work full days under arduous (hot/humid, brushy) field conditions and maintain experimental landscapes using specialized equipment (e.g., brush saws, herbicide); a valid driver’s license; and ability to obtain driver’s authorization for university and federal vehicles.
Because the Savannah River Site is a highly secure area run by the U.S. Department of Energy, non-United States citizens may have difficulty gaining clearance to work there. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse groups. The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
To apply, please send an email with “Postdoctoral Researcher Application” in the subject line and attach: 1) a CV; 2) a cover letter describing past experience, why you are a strong candidate for this position, dates of availability; 3) a 2-page research statement describing past research accomplishments and skills and brief description of the types of projects you are interested in developing, 4) contact information (names, email addresses, phone numbers) for two references to Ellen Damschen at damschen@wisc.edu. Applications must be submitted by email for this Postdoctoral Researcher position.
University of Wisconsin Statement on Diversity
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
Corridor Research Project
More information about the Corridor Research Project can be found here:
Damschen Research Lab 