Biology Research Associate

Position Title: Biology Research Associate.
Department: Biology.
Classification: Non-Exempt.
FTE: 0.15
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday. This is an in-person role. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required for event support.
Work Location: On Campus.
Hourly Rate: $20.

Position Overview:

St. Olaf College seeks a Biology Research Associate to contribute to the development of a simulation model as part of a decision support tool for evaluating spread risk and management strategies for aquatic invasive species. This position offers an opportunity to apply quantitative modeling skills to address critical conservation challenges facing Midwestern aquatic ecosystems.

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop and refine simulation models to assess aquatic invasive species spread and management scenarios.
• Implement ecological population and dispersal models using R programming.
• Collaborate with the research team to integrate models into a decision support framework.

Supervision Received And Exercised:

• Reports to the Assistant Professor of Biology.
• This supervises student workers.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Knowledge of Midwestern aquatic invasive species and their ecological impacts.
• Proficiency in R programming and statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with ecological population models and dispersal modeling approaches.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet project deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with spatial modeling or GIS applications.
• Knowledge of agent-based models or network analysis.
• Previous involvement in conservation or natural resource management projects.
• Familiarity with data visualization and communication of model outputs.

Prerequisites:

• Employment in this position is conditioned upon successful completion of a background check which may include: criminal background checks, reference checks, verification of work history, verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, a motor vehicle check, verification of DOT certification, a credit check, employment eligibility verification, and/or a pre-employment physical. Whether a background check is deemed successfully completed will be at the sole discretion of St. Olaf College.  Please note, St. Olaf College reserves the right to conduct periodic background checks at its sole discretion.

Disclaimer:

• This position may require you to report early, stay late or work different shifts depending on staffing levels. It may also require you to perform all essential job functions whenever needed and during campus emergencies when necessary.
• This job description is for general information purposes.  It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position.  This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.
• Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

Join Our Community - Work at St. Olaf!

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to a 90% reduction) at ACM, GLCA, and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

• A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/
• A link to our Community and Belonging page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/
• A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483
• An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/
• An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/

For Staff Application Assistance:

Hrstaff@Stolaf.Edu

507-786-3068

• For Faculty Application Assistance:
• facultysearch@stolaf.edu
• 507-786-3356

Nondiscrimination Policy

St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.  St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment. 

Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.