Job Description

Seasonal Field Technician

The Myers Lab at WashU in St. Louis seeks a seasonal field technician to participate in two large-scale forest ecology projects at the university's field station, Tyson Research Center: 1) a re-census of a temperate forest-dynamics plot that is part of the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) global network of scientists and forest research sites dedicated to advancing long-term study of the world's forests; and 2) a landscape-scale experiment investigating the importance of plant-functional traits in determining responses of plant diversity to environmental change (prescribed fire) and natural enemies (seed predators & herbivores). The technician will develop skills and gain experience in: 1) field protocols for censuses of long-term ForestGEO plots, including tree identification, tree mapping, and measurements of tree growth, mortality, and seed production; 2) data collection for large-scale field experiments, including surveys of plant community composition and dynamics across environmental gradients; 3) management of large data sets; 4) mentoring of undergraduate and high school students in field research; and 5) team-based ecological field research. This is a temporary position with an estimated start date between March 1 and May 23, 2026.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Working collaboratively with a research team on two large-scale, forest-ecology projects at Tyson Research Center. Field tasks include: 1) identifying, tagging, mapping, and measuring growth, mortality, and recruitment of seedlings and trees; 2) surveys of plant community composition and dynamics across environmental gradients; 3) collecting seeds from seed traps; 4) maintaining permanent field plots and seed traps; and 5) assisting with the mentoring and supervision of undergraduate students and high school students in field and lab research.
• Enter data using Microsoft Excel.
• Perform laboratory work including identifying and counting seeds from seed traps and general laboratory maintenance and cleaning.
• Assist with other field experiments at Tyson Research Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements.
• Outdoors under a range of conditions including walking long distances on steep terrain, and cold, hot or rainy weather.
• Exposure to moving machinery.
• Exposure to animals.
• Travel to on and off-campus locations.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable.

Driver's License: A Class E (MO) or Class D (IL) license and a good driving record are required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., biology, ecology, forestry).
• Experience conducting field research.
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• Ability to work outdoors under a range of conditions that include hot or cold weather, mosquitoes and ticks, and steep terrain.
• Enthusiasm to learn new concepts and field skills.
• Strong interest in ecology.
• Experience working in a field team.
• Experience with plant identification, especially in temperate forests.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in research.
• Experience conducting independent research.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage concurrent tasks.
• Ability to communicate well with research supervisor and other research team members.

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