Job Posting 1: Botanical Research Assistant

[Neill, Amanda]

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to announce an employment opportunity at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth, Texas.  The Andes to Amazon Botany Program is looking for the right person to fill the full-time position of "Botanical Research Assistant".  

As the job description (below) summarizes, we are looking for a dedicated student of botany, preferably somebody who has a B.S. or M.S. with relevant work and research experience.  Research, writing, and computer experience are crucial to the job.  Applicants will be carefully screened with this in mind.  The job will be focused on activities in the herbarium and library that relate to studies of tropical plant diversity, with some opportunities for field experience.

Please post this job description or forward to your best botany students to let them know that we are interested in hiring someone as soon as possible during December 2004 - January 2005.  The job pays a full-time salary, but the starting level will depend on the qualifications of the individual applicant.

For more information, please contact me at jjanovec at brit.org.  Thanks for your time and help!

Best regards,

John Janovec
Botanical Research Institute of Texas
509 Pecan St.
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

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JOB TITLE:  Botanical Research Assisant, Andes to Amazon Botany Program, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)

 

STARTING DATE:  December 2004 - January 2005

 

FUNCTION:  Acts as full-time research assistant in studies of tropical plant diversity, particularly monographic and floristic studies of neotropical plants, under direct supervision of the Project Director and Project Manager 

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

·        Assists in the processing and management of herbarium specimens from several related projects involving monographic and floristic studies of neotropical plants

·        Assists in the study of herbarium specimens, including the collection of morphological, ecological, and geographical data about species of neotropical plants

·        Assists in library investigation and maintenance of literature database

·        Assists in the development and maintenance of the project website, with contributions of original written material about the progress, experiences, and products of the project

·        Assists with management of large project database, and the dissemination of data via the internet

·        Assists in the development and design of project presentations and public lectures

·        Assists in the development of scientific manuscripts and reports

·        Trains and oversees student assistants and volunteers to carry out tasks of the project 

·        Performs other duties as needed by the Project Director and Project Manager

 

QUALIFICATIONS:  At least a B.S. degree, preferably a M.S., in botany or biology with emphasis on botany.  Demonstrated work and independent research experience in botanical sciences, with field and herbarium experience preferred.  The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of descriptive botanical terminology and experience with studies of plant species.  All applicants must be competent with computers to carry out tasks associated with database use, digital imaging, web design applications, library reference database (Endnotes), MS Office, especially MS Excel and Word, and other software packages.  Experience with basic statistical analysis and output is beneficial.  Experience with GIS mapping techniques is preferred, but opportunities to learn this and other technology will be available through the project.  Must be ready to learn.  Must be able to work well with a multidisciplinary, international project team, with strong written and verbal communication skills.  English language required.  At least some experience with the Spanish language is necessary.  Only the most focused and dedicated individuals should apply.  Job will be focused primarily in the herbarium and library, with opportunities for tropical field experience.

 

Please send the following application materials to Janeth Randall at jrandall at brit.org <mailto:jrandall at brit.org>  or The Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 509 Pecan St., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102: 

 

1.      Detailed Curriculum Vitae 
2.      Contact information for three professional references 
3.      A one-page written statement of purpose that describes your interests, experiences, qualifications, and future aspirations 
4.      Examples of work in print or digital format, such as a publication or website

 

E-mail subject line should read:  APPLICANT - BOTANICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT