What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant (Temporary) position at The Land Institute?
We are currently seeking Temporary Research Assistants in 2025 for the following seasons:
- Summer Season: May-August
- Fall Harvest and Threshing Season: September- mid-December
- February - November (Soil Ecology & General)
Who We Are What We Do
The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, are developing new perennial grain crops, like Kernza©, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits and researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.
How You’d Fit In Stand Out
The Research Assistant will assist with seasonal research activities, including planting, harvesting, weeding, threshing, plant tissue collection, data entry, dishwashing, and other research support tasks. They will be expected to be able to work indoors and outdoors doing manual, repetitive tasks for hours at a time. This hourly position allows for flexible scheduling (20-40 hours a week) that may be dependent on weather and labor availability. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The Land Institute believes each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. Those contributions may be outside of regular duties. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his or her services in a courteous, cooperative, and helpful manner, with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork to ensure the success of our company.
As a Research Assistant, you’ll:
- Assist researchers conduct field and lab work which may sometime involve repetitive tasks or sitting/standing for long periods of time as well as working in extreme heat.
- Follow field and lab safety procedures and voice any safety concerns when warranted.
- Participate in educational events such as research seminars, group trainings, and field trips, including in-person and virtual meetings.
- Meet regularly with mentors and engage in discussions and reflections.
Who You Are
- Interest in agriculture, ecology, and soils
- Must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the position
- Minimum education and experience required: none
- Minimum licensure or registration required: driver's license preferred 18 years of age
- Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required:
- Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where some guidance and standardization exist.
- Ability to follow instructions, including written safety warnings.
- Legible handwriting and accurate labeling are required skills.
- Ability and willingness to provide and/or diligently use provided personal health and protective equipment or supplies including drinking water, sunscreen, shade hat, insect repellent, and shoes and clothing appropriate for field work.
Environmental Working Conditions
Tasks involve the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, often involving some combination of climbing ladders, bending, reaching, standing, operating equipment, working on uneven terrain, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 60 pounds) and occasionally heavy items (up to 100 pounds). This work involves many repetitive physical tasks both in and outdoors often in adverse weather conditions. Kansas weather is highly variable and can be uncomfortable for months at a time with high humidity and temperatures coupled with limited access to shade or air conditioning. While we are mindful and intentional about our exposure to these conditions, they can be challenging and require good body awareness and proactive measures to protect oneself from dehydration and over-exposure to the sun. You must be prepared to take these measures and have endurance to work in a challenging physical environment. We feel that the best of human company makes this work rewarding and even fun despite the degrees, but that does not make it easy.
Hours
This hourly position allows for flexible scheduling (20-40 hours a week) that may be dependent on weather and labor availability. Generally available to work up to forty hours per week, primarily from 8 am-5 pm Central Time on weekdays when most of our staff and collaborators are working. Some evening and weekend working hours depending on the needs of the organization.
Location Travel
Employees must be able to provide their own transportation to 2440 E Water Well Rd in Salina, KS each day and must be willing to carpool in company vehicles to field sites and comply with seatbelt laws.
Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate pay band for this temporary non-exempt position is $14.00 - $18.00. Benefits are not included. Housing may be available at no cost. Must be at least 18 years of age to live in housing.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume, including your season ranges and hours of availability below. Candidate review will begin in January 2025.
The Land Institute is an equal opportunity employer and embraces the opportunity to provide employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.