Past Event: Partnership in Rangeland and Forestry Research Program at YSE: Lab Assistant

Title: Lab Assistant with the Partnership in Rangeland and Forestry Research Program at the Yale School of the Environment

Supervisors and Team: Dr. Bill Lauenroth (faculty director), Michelle Downey (program director), Katya Golubovsky (MESc student), and Reed Campbell (MESc student)

Description: 

We are seeking two lab research assistants to help our team with processing soil and plant samples in a laboratory that were collected in the field.

Over the past year, our team launched two new research projects: (1) investigating carbon storage in exclosures constructed from logging residue designed to protect aspen from browsing by wildlife, and 2) exploring the spread and consequences of pinyon pine encroachment into big sagebrush plant communities. 

Our team has collected field data in the San Luis Valley to study these topics. We are seeking two lab research assistants to process soil and plant samples collected during the 2025 field season. This work will contribute to a partnership between the Yale School of the Environment and a private ranch in Colorado that aims to provide students with learning opportunities and create knowledge for western working lands. 

Duties will include:

• Sieving, weighing, grinding and processing soil samples for carbon and nitrogen analysis

• Carrying out texture analysis on soil samples

• Drying and weighing plant biomass samples

• Coordinating lab use with a team

• Receiving training from research students

• Recording data

The student lab assistant will be trained in methodology for preparing samples and analyzing samples. All data will be recorded and organized in Microsoft Excel. The research assistant will work directly with our team and meet with the team weekly to provide updates on progress. The research assistant will learn proper methodology for analysis, coordinate use of the lab with other researchers, process samples, perform soil texture analysis, and communicate regularly with our team.

Qualifications:

• Attention to detail

• Ability to adhere to laboratory process

• Ability to work collaboratively with a team

Hours: 5-10 hours/week during the academic year until duties are complete.

Compensation: $17.50/hour

How to Apply (IMPORTANT INFO): 

• Apply using the central Yale Student Employment database. Where it asks you to upload your resume, please upload your 1 document containing your statement of interest AND resume.  

How to get more Information:

Please direct questions to our team:

• Dr. William Lauenroth (William.Lauenroth@yale.edu)

• Michelle Downey (Michelle.Downey@yale.edu)

Duties will include:

• Sieving, weighing, grinding and processing soil samples for carbon and nitrogen analysis

• Carrying out texture analysis on soil samples

• Drying and weighing plant biomass samples

• Coordinating lab use with a team

• Receiving training from research students

• Recording data

Qualifications:

• Attention to detail

• Ability to adhere to laboratory process

• Ability to work collaboratively with a team