Research Assistant- Aquatic Methane Sensors
SUMMARY: Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is the leading independent climate research institute, with a mission to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. The keys to Woodwell’s success are the quality of its research and the ability to deliver that science to policymakers and decision makers.
Woodwell Climate Research Center seeks a curious Research Assistant who loves to build field test equipment to join our staff in Falmouth. This person will be responsible for building and testing a novel autonomous aquatic methane chamber system, performing lab and field work and considering other ways to build field equipment as needed. This is a perfect role for a creative tinkerer who loves field campaigns. This includes ordering parts; constructing, programming and testing the system; and supporting field campaigns to collect data on methane fluxes in a variety of aquatic ecosystems. The system follows a set design, with some novel improvements. The Research Assistant will be responsible for testing the performance locally (in New England) and will assist in deploying at our field sites in the Arctic (Alaska, USA) and the Amazon (Mato Grosso, Brazil). This position is based at the Woodwell campus in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Responsibilities:
●Work closely with Woodwell scientists to build and test aquatic methane sensors
●Order parts and other instrumentation for collecting methane data
●Build the system, based on existing plans with some modifications
●Programming the system to automate data collection
●Quality assurance testing on complex and innovative research tools.
● Able to run samples with gas chromatography equipment (or willingness to learn)
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
● Undergraduate degree in engineering or ecology, or equivalent certification from an accredited 2-year college
●Programming experience
● Ability to work independently, with input from a highly collaborative research team
●Creative approach to problem-solving
●An interest in how things work, and a willingness to try different solutions until they work
●Some experience in designing and building instrumentation for field environments
● Able to travel locally and to Alaska and Brazil
●Field research experience preferred but not required
●Interest in and enthusiasm for learning about methane fluxes from aquatic environments
●Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, and ability to work effectively in a team.
●Experience with gas chromatography and other lab instrumentation preferred but not required
Application review will begin ongoing.
Desired Start Date: August 29, 2022.
Fixed term: 12 months with the opportunity to extend based on funding and performance.
Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range is $46,000 - $65,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.
Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts. We do offer a relocation allowance.
Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to our careers portal. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please type RAAM on all correspondence.
Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.
Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 90+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.
Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell
WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.
The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.
Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.
We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.