Research Assistant Position – Range Cattle REC in Ona, FL

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network is a partnership among 18 agroecosystems across the United States that addresses the great and complex issues facing US food, feed, fuel, and fiber production (LTAR https://ltar.nal.usda.gov).

University of Florida, Range Cattle Research Center and its partner Archbold Biological Station (Archbold-UF Range Cattle Subtropical) LTAR sites are focused primarily on productivity and sustainability of forage-based grazing systems in subtropical environments with special emphasis on the impacts of grazing land management on ecosystem services under a climate change scenario.

University of Florida, Range Cattle Research Center is accepting applications for a research assistant position based at the UF RCREC site in Ona, FL. The position will be renewable contingent upon continued funding and the expectation is that these positions will remain in place for multiple years.

The Archbold-UF LTAR Research Assistant will collect data in support of LTAR activities.

General Tasks:
Responsible for collection and processing of plant, soil, and greenhouse gas samples
Responsible for plant aboveground and belowground biomass data collection on a monthly schedule
Responsible for drying, sorting (live and dead biomass), and weighing biomass and entering data into excel spreadsheets in an organized manner.
Responsible for assisting with plant diversity and composition data within different grazing land types
Prepares samples and documentation for shipping samples and ships to the analytical laboratory
Responsible for assisting and/or performing laboratory analysis of soil, plant, and gas samples
Maintains excellent records of all activities and data files

Performs other reasonable duties in cooperation with the LTAR Research Scientists, as needed. It is expected that the research assistant will be able to perform most tasks independently as needed after initial training in tasks has been acquired. The research assistant will be willing to collect data in the field, drive field trucks between data collection sites, organize data into required formats, assist with fire and cattle management, and perform all task in a highly professional manner. Travel between the cooperating sites is expected.

Minimum Requirements:
A bachelor degree in soil science, agronomy, agroecology, or equivalent.
A valid driver license
Willingness to work long hours in the field in sub-tropical Florida environment

Please apply online at https://jobs.ufl.edu (position # 516594, link: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/516594/research-assistant). Please include a cover letter explaining your specific interest in joining the LTAR team, CV, and names and contact information of three references along with your applicaton. Competitive salary with full benefits. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institutions dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

Closing date: open until filled
Expected start date: Immediately
Location: Ona, FL

Supervisor: Maria L. Silveira. Soil and Water Science. UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center. 3401 Experiment Station. Ona, FL 33865

Phone: (863) 735-1314 ext. 209. Email: mlas@ufl.edu
Term: 1 year with potential for renewal
Salary: Commensurate with education and experience (starting salary of $35,000)