Research Technician - Soil Ecology

The Land Institute is hiring a Research Technician for Soil Ecology in Salina, KS. The role involves supporting field and lab operations, including sample collection, processing, and maintenance of research plots. Responsibilities include managing experiments, training assistants, and ensuring equipment readiness. The ideal candidate is organized, collaborative, and passionate about soil ecology and perennial grain research. This position requires on-site work and is not remote.
Research Technician, Soil Ecology

Who We Are + What We Do

The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, are developing new perennial grain crops, like KernzaⓇ, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits while researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.

How You'd Fit In + Stand Out

As a technician in the Soil Ecology program, you will support and direct the daily operations of activities in the field and lab. You are someone who loves a wide variety of tasks as well as enjoys flowing with the seasonal aspect of sample collection, processing, analysis, and planning. Your daily tasks will include things such as maintaining ongoing experiments by weeding, observing, harvesting, and mowing, collecting regular soil and gas samples in the field, repairing and installing equipment such as lysimeters and soil moisture probes, researching a variety of field and lab relevant topics, training and directing research assistants in the lab, offering tours and outreach to visitors, and supporting the creation and analysis of individual or lab-created projects. You are a team player who brings passion and curiosity to the work needed to see more perennial grains on the landscape.

You can capably create field and lab plans for many concurrent projects, including coordinating across multiple sites part of the same experiment. You effectively organize equipment, samples, and workflows to minimize errors and improve efficiency. You manage a variety of tasks, projects, and timelines simultaneously under the direction of the Lead Soil Ecologist, capably work both collaboratively and independently, and communicate well with all members of your team You are excited to broaden your knowledge and skills in field and lab because not only is learning a joy, but you are passionate about wanting to further the research goals of the Soil Ecology program and The Land Institute.

Primary Responsibilities + Expectations

Field and Lab Work (60%)
• Help to oversee and maintain research plots through sowing and transplanting, weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, and organizing
• Sample field plots in accordance with project timelines, including soil, plant biomass, and gasses
• Process numerous soil and plant biomass samples via drying, grinding, weighing, washing, sieving, threshing, extracting, etc.
• Carry out laboratory procedures such as soil and plant nutrient, carbon, and physical characteristic measurements
• Periodically assist with research projects in other programs as needed
• Carefully record, enter, and manage field and laboratory data in notebooks, spreadsheets, and online databases in alignment with specific project guidelines
• Ensure that equipment and supplies needed for all tasks are available, clean, and in good working order before, during, and after use

Communication (10%)
• Maintain relationships and communication with external collaborators; help to coordinate and participate in cross-project field and lab work

Research, Data Synthesis, and Writing (12%)
• Analyse results for some projects in collaboration with the lead scientist
• Plan and carry out individual research in accordance with broader goals of the lab
• Synthesize and present project results at meetings
• Research and develop protocols
• Draft methods and results for research projects

Organization, Management, and Training (17%)
• Oversees data entry and storage, ensuring that results are organized and accurately recorded
• Refine field and lab protocols based on the needs of the Soil Ecology program
• Provides input on plot layout and creates and maintains field maps
• Train, direct, and oversee the work of interns and research assistants in the lab for field and lab tasks

Outreach (1%)
• Periodically assists with organizational responsibilities, including public tours, prairie festival, and internal educational initiatives

Who you are
• You hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g. Biology, chemistry, ecology, agronomy, soil-relevant field)
• You have experience working outdoors in extreme conditions
• Background in agriculture, farming, ecology, or a related field
• Interested in a career related to agriculture, ecology, and sustainable food systems
• Good communication skills, both written and oral
• Basic math skills and numerical literacy
• Computer literacy; able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Interest and ability to learn new software such as R, AirTable, and other programs for statistical analysis and lab organization
• Observe safety and security procedures; use equipment and materials properly
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality
• Ability to develop, maintain, and honor relationships with diverse groups and people and partners
• Ability to work well with others throughout the organization to build positive teamwork
• Prioritize and plan work activities; use time effectively
• Consistently at work and on time; punctual; ensure that work responsibilities are covered when absent
• Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support organizational goals and values
• Willing to adjust schedule to meet the demands of the organization

Qualifications that could help you succeed:
• Masters degree related to soil ecology, chemistry, agronomy, environmental science, or agriculture-related field and/or lab work
• Experience with farm equipment such as mowers, tractors, planters, etc
• Experience as part of a research lab and conducting an independent research project
• Familiarity with statistical analyses and programming languages such as R

Organizational Competencies
• Mission Driven: You are passionate about the mission of The Land Institute and are interested in aligning your skills and personal genius to benefit this work.
• Courageous: You do not retreat or shy away from hard things. You face challenges and conflict with professionalism, grace, and resolve.
• A Boundary Spanner: You bring an interdisciplinary skill set and you model self-awareness in your own preferences. You are motivated to always be learning and you adapt to span boundaries with people across a range of different perspectives.
• Inspiring and Inspired: You are inspired by the people around you, finding and harnessing the genius in your colleagues to meet the organizational objectives, and you are inspiring to others through example and by working to realize your own genius.
• Growth Mindset: You have the vulnerability to know what you don't know, admit your flaws, and learn from others to grow and develop yourself and the organization.
• A Creative Collaborator: You believe in the power of a diverse collective to generate ideas and solutions. You excel at strategic thinking, being open to new perspectives, and managing innovation. You bring a playful, positive approach to the work and like meeting new people and deepening connections with those you already know.
• Excited by change: You embrace nascent and evolving situations and enjoy engaging new people, ideas, and possibilities. You think about change holistically: internal, external, organizational, and cultural. You like iterating systems, building efficiency, and operationalizing design. You are willing to jump in and contribute to new projects as needed.

Hours

Generally available to work forty hours per week via in-person and digital meetings, primarily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time on weekdays when most of our staff and collaborators are working. We are flexible for caregivers who might need to provide rides or support, attend appointments, or be available for caregiving.

Location + Travel

This role is based in Salina, Kansas, and is primarily in person, especially during the field season. Some limited remote work during the off-season is possible. Occasional overnight travel to the Lawrence, Kansas field station and annual conferences or all-hands meetings is required.

Environmental + Working Conditions
• Ability to work outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Work primarily in the field in the summer, often in extreme heat
• Work in a general office or laboratory research setting in the off-season
• Physical fitness required for soil sampling and other fieldwork
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

This job posting may be used to hire multiple positions and will remain open until filled. The ideal start date is as early as April 14 through June 9, 2025. This is a temporary position that will last for one year. Opportunities to continue as permanent staff may be available.

To Apply: Submit a resume or CV along with a letter of interest that addresses the following questions:
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What experience do you have that might help you be successful in this role?
• What are you most curious about with regard to The Land Institute, soil ecology, or our mission?

Compensation + Benefits

The Land Institute offers an excellent benefits package and competitive salary commensurate with experience.

The salary range for this position is $45,968 - $61,000 annually.

The Land Institute is an equal opportunity employer and embraces the opportunity to provide employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Pay Range: $45,968 - $61,000 per hour