Research Technician-Limited Term

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Georgia's learning environment, advancing new knowledge, research, scholarship and creative output by faculty, students, and staff in more than 80-degree programs across 40+ units.

M-F; 8am-5pm with occasional evening or weekend work.

This position requires travel to other field sites

The position will be based in Athens, GA for the first ~6 months and then in Archbold Biological Station, FL for the remainder, with additional travel to other field sites.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The University of Georgia is seeking a full-time Research Technician to support a collaborative ecological study led by Drs. Megan DeMarche and Jill Anderson. This 12-month position, with potential for extension, involves both greenhouse and field-based research across multiple locations, including Athens, GA for the first 6 months and then Archbold Biological Station, FL for the remainder 6 months, with additional travel to other field sites.

The technician will play a central role in coordinating seed preparation, constructing experimental infrastructure, implementing standardized field protocols, and overseeing data collection. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with principal investigators.

This position has a limited-term appointment term which is 1-year grant-funded. The position may be extended beyond the initial term, contingent upon continued funding.

Background in Plant Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or Biology, with a preference for experience working with plants in the greenhouse and field, along with a preference for managing large projects.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Data collection in Archbold, FL: Following garden establishment, the technician will oversee data collection at the garden in Archbold FL. This includes working with an assistant in regular monitoring of plants for germination and flowering phenology, fitness, plant size, and other measurements as needed, ensuring data backup and quality control, and thorough documentation. The technician will also lead the effort to collect leaf and other tissues, weigh and dry the tissues, following protocols provided by the PIs.

Coordinate seed bulking and preparation for planting: The technician will oversee pollinations to generate bulked outcrossed seed of C. fasciculata in the greenhouses at UGA. This includes working with PIs to develop and implement well-documented protocols and implementing these protocols. Specifically, the technician will work collaboratively with undergraduate assistants to complete pollinations, fruit collection, seed cleaning, seed quantification, seed scarification, and randomization in preparation for planting.

Establish three common gardens: The technician will travel to Archbold FL, Raleigh NC, and Ithaca NY in the spring to plant C. fasciculata seeds, install warming and control plots, and begin to monitor seed germination. This includes working with PIs to finalize garden layout and planting schemes and supervising field assistants in plot construction and planting.

Prepare materials to construct open top chambers for warming experimental blocks and sham structures for control plots: The technician will prepare "kits" to build warming and control structures for installation in gardens in collaboration with the PIs and undergraduates. This includes working with PIs to finalize designs, ordering materials, creating installation protocols for field assistants, and working with undergraduate assistants to complete pvc cuts and bends and cut greenhouse film and shade cloth to size for each open top chamber.

Implement rigorous and well-documented field methods: The technician will work with the PIs to create datasheets, validations, back-up systems, and protocols. This includes working with PIs to finalize protocols for data collection, implementing a system for data and field note back-up and quality control, and creating training materials and datasheets to be used in the field. The technician will collaborate with the PIs to standardize data collection across field gardens