Job Description

Biogeochemistry Research Project Assistant

This is a part-time, hourly, Non-Exempt position. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $17.50 per hour. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience.

Position Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable research assistant to support a project investigating nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide dynamics in stream ecosystems. From January to March/April, the assistant will spend up to 5 hours per week conducting background research, reading and summarizing scientific literature, and helping synthesize information related to greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen cycling in aquatic systems. Beginning in March or April and continuing through the end of August, the position will shift to hands-on fieldwork at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, where the assistant will spend 5-10 hours per week helping collect samples and performing hydrological surveys, maintaining in situ field equipment dedicated to monitoring for nitrous oxide and associated driver variables, and assisting with data and sample organization. 

Essential Responsibilities

1. Read, summarize, and synthesize scientific literature related to nitrogen cycling and nitrous oxide emissions in rivers.
2. Prepare literature summaries to support ongoing research goals.
3. Assist with the collection of water samples and dissolved greenhouse gas grab samples from streams and prepare samples for lab analysis.
4. Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot field equipment including probes, gas analyzer and equilibrator, and in-stream sensors and sondes.
5. Organize, log, and manage field samples and data.
6. Conduct regular flow and depth surveys in local rivers.
7. Contribute to preliminary data processing and quality checks.
8. Work with other Cary Institute research staff to ensure lab and field safety protocols are followed.

Required Qualifications 

• Willing to work outdoors in all environmental conditions (includes, but is not limited to,

occasional cold and hot temperatures, light to moderate rain and snow, mosquitoes and ticks).

• Access to a vehicle and valid class D driver's license
• This position requires physical activity, including wading in moving water and carrying heavy equipment. 

Required Skills 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Interest and motivation to read and interpret scientific literature
• Experience with freshwater ecological and biogeochemical field sampling in rivers
• Experience working with data
• Basic familiarity with common hand tools
• Organizational skills including experience in using the Google suite of applications 

Working Conditions 

• Work Environment: 

• This position will include a combination of office, laboratory and field work

• Hours and Schedule: 

• From January to March/April, up to 5 hours per week, combination of asynchronous and synchronous remote work

• Beginning in March or April and continuing through the end of August, 5-10 hours per week in person at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, where the assistant will spend.

• Travel Requirements: 

• travel to sampling sites on Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies property required

• Physical Demands: 

• This position includes work outdoors in all environmental conditions (includes, but is not limited to, occasional cold and hot temperatures, light to moderate rain and snow, mosquitoes and ticks).
• This position requires physical activity, including wading in moving water and carrying heavy equipment

• Safety and Hazards: 

• Potential safety concerns or hazardous conditions the employee might face include working in and near cold flowing water, and the possibility of working with chemicals and compressed gases in a laboratory environment. Safety training and appropriate safety equipment will be provided. 

Closing Date: Position is open until filled. 

To Apply: 

Visit our website at ( and complete our online job application. Please submit one document that includes a cover letter, resume and the names and full contact information (including e-mail address) for two professional references. The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. 

Cary Institute 

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is a leading independent environmental research organization dedicated to understanding ecosystems and addressing key environmental challenges. With a focus on freshwater, forests, disease, and cities, our scientists are global experts in ecology and tackle issues such as climate change, invasive species, and human impacts on land and water. Our research informs policy and management decisions to protect the environment and improve human wellbeing, with notable contributions to the Clean Air Act amendments, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

At Cary Institute, we prioritize sharing our science to enhance ecological literacy and foster informed decision-making. Through a variety of educational programs, we aim to engage students, decision makers, and the public while training the next generation of ecologists and resource managers. Our work spans both local and global scales, with significant impact on ecosystems such as the Hudson River, the Catskill and Adirondack forests, and the Baltimore watershed, making our research science in the service of society.

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