15-Apr-2025
Research Assistant
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
68074BR
Job Summary
The Harvard Forest invites applications for a full-time term Research Assistant in measurements of forest and wetland carbon cycling within Jackie Matthes’s Lab at Harvard Forest. Research in the Matthes Lab focuses on measuring soils, streams, and trees to characterize the processes that produce and release carbon dioxide and methane and influence the cycling of carbon and other nutrients. More information about the Matthes Lab can be found here.
Position Description
The Research Assistant will be based at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. Work within a week will generally be partitioned among 2-3 days of fieldwork and labwork and 2-3 days of data analysis. Fieldwork at Harvard Forest involves working full days (up to 8 hours) in year-round outdoor conditions. The work conducted by this Research Assistant will require regular periods of independence.
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to
- Coordination and collection of field data from soils, trees, and streams in long-term measurement plots.
- Organization of collected data and written documentation of metadata and protocols.
- Conducting timely data analysis with ongoing data collection and merging project data with other associated Harvard Forest data streams (e.g., weather data, streamflow data).
- Clear communication and coordination with other employees and the supervisor across all responsibilities.
Basic Qualifications
- Previous experience working outdoors for full days
- Previous experience with data entry and graphing with spreadsheet software such as excel
- Some prior coursework at any level in environmental science, ecology, or related fields.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- A master’s degree in environmental science or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience working in environmental sciences
- Strong communication and organizational skills;
- Previous experience in scientific writing and the production of data-based figures to summarize and communicate key results.
- Previous experience collecting, categorizing, and storing physical samples and digital data
- Strong Proficiency in creating reproducible data analysis workflows with R
- Experience doing quality checking and quality assurance for digital data entry
Working Conditions
Fieldwork at Harvard Forest involves working full days (up to 8 hours) in year-round outdoor conditions such as dry and frigid temperatures in the winter months and heat and humidity in the summer months.
Additional Information
- Harvard Forest maintains a set of housing options nearby the site in Petersham, MA that the Research Assistant may choose to rent for short-term or longer term housing.
- This is a 1-year grant-funded term position with a strong possibility of renewal based on continual funding and performance.
- We regret that Harvard University is unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship for this position.
- All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Work Format Details
This position is based primarily on-campus, in Petersham, Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/benefits-wellbeing) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Job Function
Research
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Petersham
Job Code
403108 Research Assistant I Lab
Work Format
On-Site
Sub-Unit
Sciences
Salary Grade
052
Department
Harvard Forest
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Time Status
Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening
Identity
Commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify this excellence while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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