Research Specialist

at  University of Tennessee Knoxville

The UT Herbarium and Budke Lab are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the herbarium and laboratory teams as a Research Specialist. This important team member will manage curation projects related to digitizing bryophyte and lichen specimens, as well as research projects exploring the functional morphology and evolution of the parent-offspring conflict in mosses. They will assist the Herbarium Collection Manager with mentoring undergraduate students and volunteers assisting with curation projects. In the Budke Lab they will collaborate with graduate students on moss plant research projects. The UT Herbarium and Budke Lab are dynamic teams that have intellectually stimulating and collaborative environments at the University of Tennessee. There will be excellent opportunities to learn digitization, curation, morphological, anatomical, statistical, and laboratory techniques.
Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
1. Imaging herbarium specimens, transcribing specimen label information, and georeferencing specimen localities.
2. Providing quality control and assessing digitization progress by reviewing data.
3. Oversee undergraduate students and volunteers to image and database herbarium specimens.
4. Repackaging, labeling, databasing, and filing herbarium specimens.
5. Identifying, sampling, sterilizing, growing, and maintaining live moss plant cultures.
6. Perform morphological and anatomical studies to support ongoing research projects.
7. Compiling data analytics, generating visualization graphics, and presenting experimental results.
8. Maintain compliance with proper safety protocols and record-keeping requirements.
Techniques used in the herbarium and lab include:
1. Specimen digitization: Using digital cameras to image specimens and computers for label transcription and georeferencing.
2. Specimen curation: Repackaging, labeling, databasing, and filing herbarium specimens.
3. Histology: Embedding, sectioning, staining, and imaging moss plants for morphological and anatomical studies.
4. Plant care: Weekly plant care, including monitoring cultures for contamination and watering mosses growing on soil.
5. Training will be provided for the necessary techniques.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in a Plant Sciences, Botany, Ecology, Biology, or Horticulture.
2. Experience working with natural history specimens and plant biology research is preferred.
3. Problem-solving, strong attention to detail, high levels of organization, and proven ability to anticipate challenges are required.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
5. Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently and as part of a team is required.
6. Proficiency with computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Powerpoint) is required.
   Please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three references as a single document when applying.
   Job Research Technical
   Primary Location US-Tennessee-knoxville
   Organization Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
   Campus/Institute Knoxville
   Schedule Full-time
   Job Posting Apr 4, 2024, 3:16:10 PM

Please refer the Job description for details