About the Job
The Associate Staff Scientist should be able to execute comprehensive field and laboratory operations to assess and monitor aquatic ecosystem health across Great Lakes coastal wetlands, streams, and inland lakes, directly supporting the NRRI mission to deliver science-based solutions for sustainable resource management.
Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.
Job Duties:
35% Perform fish, invertebrate, and water quality sampling in wetlands, streams, and lakes as part of a team.
45% Sort aquatic invertebrates using a microscope, identify invertebrates to order or family level
20% Data entry into a database or Excel spreadsheet and check data for accuracy
Role Overview & Primary Functions:
- The Associate Staff Scientist leads and executes field sampling efforts and laboratory analysis. Key operational functions include:
- Field Leadership & Operations: Lead field crews on multi-day sampling trips (3–10 days), maintaining rigorous scientific protocols and safety during 10–14 hour field days in variable weather conditions.
- Biological & Habitat Assessment: Conduct field identification and collection of fish, macroinvertebrates, and water samples, along with detailed aquatic habitat quantification.
- Data & Water Quality Collection: Perform data collection using multi-parameter sondes, standard titrations, sample filtration, and secure chain-of-custody transfer between laboratories.
- Laboratory & Data Management: Process invertebrate samples, sort samples to order or family level, and manage high-accuracy data entry during non-field seasons.
- Navigation & Equipment Maintenance: Safely operate, haul, and trailer small motorboats and drive institutional vehicles across a variety of locations, at times remote, using GPS and topographic navigation.
Key Competencies for Success:
- Taxonomic Expertise: Advanced skill in field identification of Great Lakes freshwater fish species.
- Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience in operating water-quality instruments (sondes), standard laboratory filtration and titration equipment, and GPS.
- Field Logistics & Trailering: Proven ability to safely operate and trailer small motorboats, drive trucks in remote settings, and manage field trip logistics.
- Safety & Resilience: Strong commitment to field and laboratory safety protocols; physical endurance to manage demanding 10–14 hour workdays in diverse weather conditions.
- Data Integrity & Team Leadership: Meticulous attention to detail in data collection and entry, paired with effective peer leadership skills during remote fieldwork.
Alignment with NRRI’s Goals:
By generating precise, long-term biological and water-quality data across Lake Superior and Lake Michigan watersheds and the State of Minnesota, this position provides the empirical foundation necessary for NRRI to evaluate ecosystem health, inform environmental policy, and advance sustainable management of regional aquatic resources.
Work Schedule:
Work is full-time typically Monday through Friday 40hrs/week. Summer field work will entail potential for weekend work, 10-12 hour work days, and periodic travel for 3-10 days. Overtime is likely and will be compensated.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) plus two of relevant experience in Integrated Biosciences, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related natural resource discipline, or a combination of relevant work experience equal to six years.
- Experience conducting fieldwork in wetlands, streams, and lakes to sample fish, aquatic invertebrates, and water quality.
- Ability to travel for multiple days for field work and handle difficult working conditions.
- Experience handling and able to field identify common fish species in Great Lakes coastal wetlands
- A minimum of 1 year of proficient boat and trailer handling skills
- Familiar with water quality sondes, filtering water samples, and performing titrations.
- Experience sorting aquatic invertebrates using a microscope and performing preliminary identification.
- Experience with Microsoft Excel or other data bases, Microsoft Word.
- Organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Valid U.S. Driver’s license and ability to pass motor vehicle background check (no moving violations in the past two years).
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3 years of experience working in Great Lakes coastal wetlands
- 3 years of proficient boat and trailer handling skills
- Proficient using Fyke nets and electrofishing for fish collection
- Experience conducting habitat surveys in streams
- Experience collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates using a D-net and quantitative sampling devices
- Experience leading field crews on multi-day field trips while coordinating logistics and using small boats
- Experience collecting and processing biological samples for stable isotope analysis.
- First aid/CPR/AED trained
Physical / Environmental Demands:
Office environment / no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.
The position requires overnight travel for multi-day trips, outdoor work in varying weather conditions, hiking over uneven terrain in remote locations, and lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
About the Department
The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.
NRRI’s mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.
With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms. These platforms address Minnesota’s soil, forest, water and mineral resources:
Applied Ecology and Resource Management
Minerals and Metallurgy
Materials and Bioeconomy
Data Collection and Delivery
Commercialization Services
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $53,149.20 – $55,000.00 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% Appointment
Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
- Financial counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
You are required to attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
