Fwd: Job: NorthCarlinaStateU.FieldTech.PlantEvolEcol

[Ellen Hostert]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <evo...@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca>
Date: Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Subject: Job: NorthCarlinaStateU.FieldTech.PlantEvolEcol
To: <ehos...@maine.edu>

Dear colleagues,

We are recruiting 1-2 field technicians to contribute to an NSF-funded
study that combines approaches from evolutionary biology, field ecology,
and population genomics in a broadly distributed native plant species
(*Chamaecrista fasciculata*, Fabaceae) to forecast population dynamics
range-wide under climate change. My collaborators at the University
of Georgia will soon be advertising similar positions based in Ithaca,
New York and Archbold Biological Station in Florida. Please distribute
to any interested candidates!

Thanks,
Seema


Seema Sheth (she/her)
Associate Professor
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology
North Carolina State University
seemasheth.weebly.com


Field technician position in Plant Evolutionary Ecology

Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

North Carolina State University



The Sheth plant evolutionary ecology lab <https://seemasheth.weebly.com/>
in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North
Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) is currently seeking 1-2
enthusiastic field technicians to participate in an NSF-funded study (
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=3D2220928&HistoricalAwards=false)
under the direction of Dr. Seema Sheth and in collaboration with
Drs. Susana Wadgymar (Davidson College), Jill Anderson (University of
Georgia), Megan DeMarche (University of Georgia), and Emily Josephs
(Michigan State University). The project combines approaches from
evolutionary biology, field ecology, and population genomics in a broadly
distributed native plant species (Chamaecrista fasciculata, Fabaceae)
to forecast population dynamics range-wide under climate change. The
technician will be part of a dynamic, dedicated, and engaged research
group as well as a member of a multidisciplinary and multi-institution
collaborative group that includes Botanic Garden and conservation
professionals.


Dates: February 1, 2026 through November 30, 2026 (exact dates flexible)

Location: Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Pay: $20/hour


Expected duties: The successful candidate will contribute to a
collaborative study of eco-evolutionary responses to climate in the
partridge pea, Chamaecrista fasciculata, an annual legume that grows in
disturbed habitats in central and eastern North America. The technician’s
primary responsibilities involve establishing and maintaining a large
common garden experiment (~6,500 plants) at Mason Farm Biological Reserve
in Chapel Hill, NC. This includes preparing seeds for planting, planting
seeds, setting up the garden infrastructure, building open-top chambers,
collecting data on traits and fitness, entering data, maintenance tasks in
the garden (e.g., weeding), and processing samples in the lab. The
technician will also have opportunities to train and mentor undergraduate
students and work with graduate students.



Required qualifications

   - Bachelor’s degree in ecology, evolutionary biology, botany, or a
     related field
   - Valid US driver’s license
   - Ability to work outdoors in challenging conditions for long days
   - Previous experience with field research in ecology, evolution,
     and/or botany
   - Attention to detail; precise, neat work; ability to perform
     repetitive tasks
   - Excellent problem-solving and communication skills


Preferred qualifications

   - Coursework in ecology, plant biology, genetics, or related fields
   - Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
   - Desire to train and mentor other team members
   - Comfortable with manual labor, including but not limited to using
     common tools, light carpentry, and gardening/landscaping techniques
   - Experience with troubleshooting in the field


Commitment to field safety: We are committed to providing a safe field
work experience for all members of the collaborative team. We are happy
to discuss and address any safety-related concerns you have.


About NC State and the Raleigh area: NC State’s Department of Plant and
Microbial Biology offers a highly-rated research environment and is
situated in a collaborative and scientifically stimulating atmosphere in
the Research Triangle, with both UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University
nearby. There is a vibrant and growing community of ecologists and
evolutionary biologists spread across multiple departments on campus,
including Applied Ecology, Biological Sciences, Entomology and Plant
Pathology, Forestry and Environmental Resources, Soil and Crop Sciences,
and Biochemistry, among others, many of whom participate in a weekly
Evolutionary Genetics meeting. Raleigh is a lively yet affordable city with
a high standard of living, and its surroundings offer numerous recreational
activities.


To apply: Please email the following materials to
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/225009:

Applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.



   1. a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for
      this position (including your available dates),
   2. current CV or resume (with relevant coursework included), and
   3. contact information (phone number and email address) for 2
      references.

Review of applications will begin on December 10 and continue until the
position is filled. Due to the large volume of applicants, we will not be
able to respond to individual emails about this position or meet with
applicants prior to submission of application materials.


ssh...@ncsu.edu

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Important!  I check email once a day, and often not at all on weekends.  I will respond to your message.  Thank you for your patience.

Ellen E. Hostert, Ph.D. (she/her)
Professor of Biology
University of Maine at Machias
116 O'Brien Avenue
Machias, ME 04654
(207) 255-1301
ehos...@maine.edu