Student Research Assistant Jobs Available at LSRI
Scientists at the UW-S Lake Superior Research Institute have been awarded research grants that have funds to
provide training and employment opportunities for several students. We are looking for responsible, hardworking students who are interested in gaining research experience that will help them further their career goals
and bolster their resume. Currently we are looking for students to assist with the following activities. Students
may be involved with more than one project depending on our needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES/JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Aquatic Toxicity Lab Student Assistants – We will be testing several ballast water treatment systems this summer and
students are needed to help culture aquatic test organisms and algae used in toxicology research. Responsibilities include
but are not limited to, the culture of aquatic organisms, tank cleaning, feeding of organisms, monitoring water quality,
record keeping, setting up test equipment, running toxicity tests, and assisting with data entry and proofing. Field work
will include collecting algae for experiments. Work will take place on campus and at our shore-based test facility.
Weekend and holiday shifts are required and will be rotated among student employees. Mechanical and plumbing skills
are useful as well as experience with small boats and outboard motors.
Aquatic Invasive Species Experiments Assistant – Assist researchers in setting up experimental test tanks,
help collect test organisms, collect test data, and assist taxonomic researchers in sample preparation.
Responsibilities include but not limited to cleaning and set up of experimental equipment, monitoring and
collecting data from experiments, late night collection of test organisms in the field, picking and sorting aquatic
organism from samples, and data entry. Long work days, late nights, and ability to work in a variety if weather
conditions a must.
Field Botanist Student Assistant - This project will involve surveying vegetation in four wetland plant community types
in urban and remote areas in the Lake Superior Basin. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, sampling
vegetation, proper collection of unknown species, ability to operate a canoe, recording of accurate field data and entering
data into LSRI created database system. A field training session is mandatory. Student Assistants will be required to pass
a simple exam on wetland plant identification of dominant species, locate sample locations, demonstrate proper collecting
and preparation techniques, data recording, GPS usage and recording field notes. Students must be able to work in all
weather and field conditions.
Invasive Plant Surveys – This project involves surveying seven County Forests in northern Wisconsin for the presence of
terrestrial invasive plant species. Responsibilities include sampling vegetation, recording GPS coordinates for invasive
plant occurrences, completing field sheets, entering data into computer data entry software, and routine herbarium work.
Field training will be provided. Students must be able to work long days in the field and deal with uncomfortable working
conditions including rain, heat, and biting insects. Surveys will occur in May-June as well as Aug. Transportation and
lodging at hotels during survey periods will be provided
Mercury and other Chemical Analyses – Responsibilities include processing of fish samples, critical cleaning of
labware, assisting staff members with mercury digestions and analysis. Students may also be involved with chlorine
analysis, titration of dissolved oxygen, hardness and alkalinity samples and meter calibration. Training and Standard
Operating Procedures will be provided to students in order to allow them to become competent at these procedures.
Students may perform data entry and data proofing.
Lake Superior Monitoring Student Assistant – Students will assist with collecting habitat, water quality,
macroinvertebrate, zooplankton, and other biological data from monitoring stations located in the nearshore areas of Lake
Superior and Lake Superior tributaries; preparing and maintaining sampling equipment; recording data; and data entry.
Student must be able to work in all weather and field conditions; be able to work long days or stay overnight on occasion
during the sampling season; have a legal driver’s license and the ability to be certified to drive UWS vehicles. Legible
hand-writing, outdoor experience and experience operating motor boats, digital cameras, and GPS units preferred.
Zooplankton Analysts – Assist in the collection and processing of zooplankton samples in conjunction with the Lake
Superior Monitoring and Ballast Water Treatment projects. Students will be trained to collect and prepare zooplankton
samples for analysis following standard operating procedures. Specimens will be digitally photographed and measured
and data will be compiled in spreadsheet and database formats. Students who express an interest in taxonomy will be
trained to identify the common species of rotifers and crustaceans.
Processing Benthic Macroinvertebrate Samples – Assist senior and junior scientists in processing aquatic
macroinvertebrate samples that were collected from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Tasks involve but are not limited to,
preparing samples for processing, picking and sorting organisms from stream debris, completing lab datasheets, following
strict Standard Operating Procedures, and passing Quality Control checks. Some taxonomic identification is required.
Some field work is also anticipated.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Student Assistant – Students will perform a variety of tasks, including, but
not limited to, educating boaters on how to perform watercraft inspections for aquatic invasive species,
collecting and entering data on boater behavior into an online database, assisting with AIS monitoring on inland
water bodies, perform field work and assist K-12 classroom education for Purple Loosestrife Remediation, and
help with other public education/outreach events and projects. Weekend and holiday shifts are required and
students must be able to work in all weather and field conditions, have a legal driver’s license and reliable
transportation.
These positions are designed for 30 to 40 hours per week during the summer with the possibility of continuing for 10 to
20 hours per week during the school year. Salaries range from $9.00 to $11.15 per hour depending on the student’s work
experience and years in college. Upon hiring, students will be required to attend two separate, training sessions: UWS
Health and Safety Training and LSRI Quality System Training. We anticipate having students work on more than one
project in order to gain a variety of experiences. Student employees may expand a portion of their work experience into a
research project that fulfills their Undergraduate Research requirement. Preference will be given to applicants with a
career interest in aquatic ecology, toxicology, plant sciences, environmental education or chemistry.
If you are interested in the work/research opportunities described above, please send a resume and a letter of interest to
Christine Polkinghorne Barstow 5a (cpolking@uwsuper.edu) by close of business on Friday, March 15th. Please include
the following information in your letter: Name, phone number, major and minor fields of study, year in college, expected
date of graduation, career plans, total GPA, advisor’s name, and list of science classes completed. Also include a short
essay explaining which positions you are interested in and why we should consider you for these positions. Show why
you feel that you are qualified for the positions, include descriptions of any special training that you have had (course
work, previous work experience, etc) that will make you a good candidate for the positions. Tell us how you would
benefit from working with the Research Institute. Some of the positions may start this spring, so please indicate how
many hours per week you would be available to work this semester and during the summer.
After review of the applications, we will set up interviews for the top candidates.