The Classen Ecosystem Ecology group seeks a laboratory and field manager, and we aim to make our work relevant to both the scientific community and society. We spend a lot of time at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) as well as lots of other field sites around the US and world. This is a term-limited position, which runs through August 2025. The contingent start date in Ann Arbor, Michigan is January 2021. We use a combination of observations, experiments, and models to answer ecological questions. We are a diverse and international group of community and ecosystem ecologists who work across scales from the micro (soil food webs) to the macro (regional carbon fluxes).  This is a term limited position scheduled to end August 2025.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a lab culture of respect, safety, and collaboration;
• Maintaining ongoing and establishing new field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments;
• Collect data from field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments using routine methods, as well as develop new sampling techniques as appropriate; 
• Travel to field sites to collect data (may include international travel);
• Run and Maintain field and laboratory equipment. For example, using, troubleshooting, and maintaining ecosystem laboratory equipment to analyze soil, plant and gas samples;
• Build, troubleshoot and maintain ecological sensors;
• Coordinate and communicate with international collaborators;
• Help to coordinate student field and laboratory activities; 
• Data entry, preliminary analysis, and interpretation; 
• General laboratory coordination and maintenance, including ordering and organizing equipment and supplies and maintaining laboratory databases.

Required Qualifications

M.S. (or equivalent experience post BA/BS) in ecology, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry or a closely related field. Applicants should show they can work independently and cooperatively with other researchers. The ideal candidate must have a strong work ethic, ability to problem solve, demonstrated communication and quantitative capabilities, and a record of leadership. Experience with lab equipment, sample analysis, in-situ sensors, and environmental datasets (e.g., in R or MATLAB) is desired.  Travel within the US is part of the position.

How to Apply

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How is fire changing landscapes in the United States? Join us for an informal chat with researchers studying fire in California, Arizona, and Florida. Find out who they are, how they got interested in fire, and the research questions they are asking about the effects of increasing wildfire on natural systems.

The University of Michigan invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (Matthaei-Nichols). For over 100 years, Matthaei-Nichols has welcomed students, faculty, staff, and community members to its gardens, prairies, and woodlands. Matthaei-Nichols plays a special and multi-faceted role in the university. It serves as a sanctuary and recreational space for students and community members, a center for environmental stewardship and activism, a cherished venue for university and community hosted events, and an active research and teaching laboratory. Matthaei-Nichols also has a long and successful history of public outreach, education, and volunteerism that routinely engages both K-12 children and the community at large. 

Matthaei-Nichols includes over 840 acres of formal display gardens, ponds, abundant trails and natural areas, a public conservatory and attached research facilities, and is home to the U-M Campus Farm. In 2019, the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum served 485,000 visitors. 

The director position is an exceptional opportunity for an inspiring and collaborative leader who will work with staff and partners across the university and beyond to develop and implement a bold vision to expand the impact of this historic organization on the university and surrounding community. This vision will build from existing strengths in sustainability-focused research, experiential teaching and learning, conservation, and an emphasis on social justice and integrated relationships between land, people, and society. The Matthaei-Nichols director reports to the dean of the graduate school and vice provost. 

The search advisory committee seeks individuals with a record of distinguished achievement as an academic or a professional with an advanced degree in a relevant discipline such as ecology, plant biology, environment, sustainability, horticulture, landscape architecture, public garden management, or related field. Candidates will have demonstrated success in organizational leadership and administrative experience in a botanical garden or related environment. An exceptional ability to lead collaboratively and to work effectively across all levels of a large, complex organization are critical. Candidates must have deep appreciation for and strong commitment to education, academic research, environmental stewardship, horticultural beauty, and public engagement, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with scientific and lay audiences. The successful candidate will have a record of outstanding commitment and accomplishment in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Acceptance and review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae or professional resume and letter of application. All inquiries, nominations, and applications for this position will be treated confidentially. Naree Viner and Tenley Bank of Koya Leadership Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please submit your materials here or email Tenley directly at [email protected]. 

Koya Leadership Partners, a member of the Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. 

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

IFS Station Director Forfar Field Station, Andros, Bahamas 

Director Description and Duties: Assumes leadership role of the field station staff team, encouraging and fostering positive attitudes, setting a good example, and prioritizing staff efforts. 

Communicates frequently with the Executive Director regarding all aspects of the field station operations and with the Program Coordinator to ensure trip instructors expectations are met. Works closely with the Facilities Director to ensure facilities, vehicles and vessels are maintained. 

Assumes leadership role in the working relationship of the field study/trip instructors and field station staff insuring both the educational program expectations of the instructor and the operational limitations of the field station and staff are realistic and negotiated equitably when necessary. 

Ensures that equipment and staff resources at the field station are used efficiently and fairly when more than one school group is utilizing the field station to meet the needs of each group as equitably as possible. 

Acts as a representative of both the field station and International Field Studies, Inc. in dealing with the local community, local partner organizations such as Bahamas National Trust and government officials such as customs and immigration officers. 

Staff management includes: delegate and assign duties to education staff; mediate problems in a direct and fair manner; coordinates staff work schedules; with the Executive Director, bi-annually evaluates performance of Forfar Field Station staff members; periodically observes and assesses education staff classroom presentations and in field teaching. 

Operations management includes: identifies staff and field station needs and supplies; oversees the food ordering, manages the kitchen staff, and keeps an inventory of supplies; keeps detailed records of expenditures; provides receipts to the office; bi-monthly prepares payroll for staff; prepares a weekly budget and petty cash reconciliation reports. 

The Director is expected to step into the Environmental Education Intern’s role if needed and their job expectations are listed below: 

Environmental Education: IFS employees’ supplement the group leader's knowledge with local site information and topical lectures. The level of assistance with educational programming will vary according to the group leader’s expertise and experience. Must become knowledgeable in basic level local flora and fauna. 

Trip Facilitation: IFS employees are expected to stay in close contact with the group leader, transport the group to their desired sites, and monitor the group's safety while doing so. Must become proficient with driving station vehicles. 

Field Station Operations: There are daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to be completed to maintain full operation of the field station. 

Maintenance: All employees participate in maintenance and repair of the vehicles, boats, buildings, and other equipment as needed. 

Required/Desired Qualifications: 

• BS in Environmental Education, Marine Biology, Outdoor Recreation and Leadership, Operations Management, or similar major 

• Managerial experience or team leadership 

• Experience with diving (Dive Master required), snorkeling, and driving boats 

• Experience with facilitation and leading trips 

• Experience creating and presenting educational programming (middle school to adult audiences a plus) 

• Experience with bookkeeping (QuickBooks a plus), inventory tracking, and/or supply ordering 

• Experience with facilities maintenance and upkeep 

• Key personality traits include: ability to live and work in a small group environment with limited personal space in rustic and rural conditions, flexible and adaptable, responsible and safety conscientious, relatable and personable with students/group leaders/visitors/locals, a team player with a good work ethic, leadership skills 

• Must have a valid Driver’s License and be comfortable driving large vans on unpaved, rural roads 

• Must consent to and pass a Background Check 

• Physical requirements: Must be able to and desire to spend time diving, snorkeling, or driving boats for up to 8 hours a day, must be able to climb up and down ladders, must be able to lift 50 lbs, and must be able to drive a van for up to 1.5 hours at a time 

• Must be able to commit to a minimum of two years 

Compensation: A monthly stipend (between $1,000-$1,200) with lodging and food provided. Housing is shared with a roommate in a two-bedroom open air cabin (no A/C or heating) with a bathroom, kitchenette, and living space/office space. Additionally, professional dive insurance, some travel expenses, work visa application fees and renewals, a health reimbursement account, and Simple IRA with company matching is provided. The Director is allowed to have four free guests per year and is entitled to four weeks paid vacation per year. 

How to Apply: Send in a current resume and cover letter to [email protected]. All questions should also be emailed to [email protected]. No calls please. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2020 with an estimated start date of April 15, 2020.

https://obfst.memberclicks.net/assets/news-attach/Director_2020.pdf