Job Description

The University of Minnesota Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology is seeking to fill a position working on a research project that uses autonomous recording devices (ARUs) to determine the statewide distribution of red-headed woodpeckers. In Minnesota the Red-headed Woodpecker has been designated a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources due to severe declines over the last several decades. Data from this research will be used to determine woodpecker occupancy, habitat distribution, and develop a protocol to monitor population trends and responses of this species to habitat management.

This position will be temporary in nature and hired through December 31, 2025. 

Shifts may be scheduled variable days between Mondays through Sundays, 8 hours per shift to add up to 40 hours per week. This position is eligible for overtime (non-exempt). Consecutive Sundays are not a term of employment for this job code. 

**This position is represented by the AFSCME Technical Bargaining Unit; bargaining unit consideration begins on April 2, 2025 and ends on April 9, 2025.

Primary Duties
The primary duties of the research assistant position include assisting with processing and analyzing data from acoustic recorders as part of Dr. Elena Westâ™s Bioacoustics for Broadscale Species Monitoring and Conservation research. Specifically, research assistants will assist with validating red-headed woodpecker detections produced from a machine learning algorithm being tested as part of the research project. The employee will expect to preform other duties as assigned which could include data entry, data quality control, periodic support of Dr. West delivering experiential course content and data management.

• High school graduation or the equivalent with some science courses and laboratory experience should provide the necessary background for work of this class. Equivalent combination of relevant academic and work experience may be substituted
• Experience with acoustic data analyses and interpretation
• Experience with data collection methods using autonomous recording units or other acoustic data
• Excellent organizational, management, and office skills
• Experience with database management

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Job Tags

Temporary work, Work experience placement, Shift work, Sunday,

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