Research Assistant - Soil Carbon Lab

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis. 

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary:

Join Woodwell’s growing Carbon team as a Research Assistant (Soil Carbon Lab), who will seek to understand and promote the role soils can play in nature-based climate solutions.  We are particularly interested in designing and deploying low-cost soil carbon monitoring systems. We work across a range of agroecosystems with major projects focused on regenerative agricultural practices, cover crop adoption and grazing management systems. The successful applicant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of PIs, research scientists, postdocs and other research assistants and will lead day-to-day work in the laboratory while occasionally helping with field campaigns and data analysis.

Responsibilities include but not limited:

• Collect soil samples in various field setting

• Process, inventory and catalog new soil samples

• Prepare soil samples by grinding or extraction for various analyses

• Perform routine soil laboratory testing including, but not limited to, pH, calcium carbonate equivalents, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, elemental analysis for carbon and nitrogen, texture by particle size analysis, colorimetric nutrient assays, microbial respiration, enzymatic activity

• Data analysis and reporting

Must have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A background in soil science or related environmental science discipline

• Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting

• Willingness to take ownership of lab-related work on multiple projects

• Demonstrated skills in MS Excel or other statistical software programs, preferably, in the R programming language

• Ambition to grow skills appropriate for the position

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills

• A problem-solving mindset and the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time

Qualifications: 

• Bachelors of Science in Organic Chemistry, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Biology or relevant related field with 2 years of relevant experience appropriate or

• Masters of Science degree in Organic Chemistry, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Biology or relevant related fields

• Recent graduates welcome to apply

Physical Requirements:

In the office:

• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting

• Ability to lift 25 pounds

• Ability to communicate

• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items

• Ability to use phone and computers

• Repetitive movements

• Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings/event

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:

• Air, train, vehicle travel to access field locations

• Driving a vehicle or ATV to access field locations

• Walking, hiking, climbing to access field locations

• Paddling, canoeing to access field locations

• Standing and sitting for sustained periods

• Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling

• Reaching overhead

• Climbing ladders

• Use of manual and power tools including shovels, saws, drills, and hammers

• Ability to lift up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day

• Ability to carry up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day

• Ability to push/pull up to 25lbs up to 10 times/day

Application review will begin on December 21, 2024

Desired Start Date: February 3, 2024

Fixed-term: 2 years, with potential for extension 

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $50,000 dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts 

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100 staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work. 

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell Climate does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell Climate acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.

Salary : $50,000