Departmental Assistant - Deer Mouse Field Technician - Colorado

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Senner Lab in the Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking to hire one seasonal field technician to assist with research on the ecology of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Colorado. The project is focused on understanding how deer mouse physiology and population dynamics are influenced by parasites and environmental variation. The field technician will assist with all aspects of fieldwork, with opportunities for learning research skills throughout the season and potentially carrying out their own individual research projects in the future. The position will run from 15 April - 15 October 2025. Airfare, shared field housing, food, all necessary equipment, and a stipend of $18.81/hour will be provided.

Essential Functions

• Maintenance of a small mammal trapping grid.
• Capture, handling, and tagging of deer mice.
• Field respirometry.
• Field behavioral trials.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Interest in mammalian ecology, field biology, physiology, species interactions, and/or related fields.
• Comfortable living and sleeping in close quarters with the team.
• Comfortable working at high elevations.
• Strong work ethic, eagerness to learn fieldwork and research methods, and ability to work well on a team and independently in challenging physical conditions and sometimes stressful scenarios. Applicant must be adaptable, communicative, cooperative, and detail oriented.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Previous experience with outdoor fieldwork and following research protocols.
• Previous experience with small mammal trapping and handling.
• Familiarity with respirometry.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• This position requires working in mountain environments in challenging physical conditions - including high elevation, bright sun, rain, and walking long distances.

Work Schedule

• Work hours may vary throughout the season, with efforts requiring both working early in the morning and late into the evening.
• This is a temporary, non-benefitted position that may not exceed 12 months.

Salary Information

• $18.81 an hour.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with application, please submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience. Please also include contact information for two references.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here (https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.