Professional Aide

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

The Burrow Lab at Michigan State University is hiring a technician for the 2025 summer field season. Housing is not provided for this position. The technician will primarily assist in field work components of a graduate research project. The project investigates differences in anuran diets in wet meadows across Michigan. The species of interest include northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens), American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans). By characterizing the plant communities, insect communities, and anuran diets in wet meadows facing differing levels of degradation, we hope to better understand the effects of plant community change on higher trophic levels. This project will include (but may not be limited to) the following field components:

• Collecting and identifying wetland plants
• Setting up and collecting invertebrates from pitfall traps
• Capturing anurans to collect their mass, snout-vent-length (SVL), and stomach contents
• Using gastric lavage techniques (in the field) to collect the stomach contents of anurans (non-lethal)
• Marking anurans via toe-clipping

This project may also include the following laboratory/non-field components:

• Identifying invertebrates from pitfall trap samples
• Identifying invertebrates from anuran stomach contents
• Preparing plant samples Entering data into excel spreadsheets

Desired Qualifications

Candidates should have some undergraduate experience in biology, environmental science, and/or ecology. Ideal candidates will have experience working in wetland systems, identifying wetland plants, identifying insects, and/or handling anurans. Some additional requirements include:

• Familiarity with the wetland flora/fauna of Michigan
• Willingness to learn skills such as plant identification and gastric lavage
• Adherence to wetland safety and animal handling protocols
• Ability to work independently or in a team
• Proficiency in excel and data management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively (both in writing and verbally)
• Ability to carry 50 lbs, work for long hours in the field, and hike off-trail in/out of sites Willingness to work flexible hours, including some nights and/or weekends (when the frogs are most active!)
• Passion for the outdoors, wetland conservation, and herpetofauna!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Please send your resume/CV, contact information for two references, and a one-page cover letter describing your interest and relevant experiences as a single PDF to Hannah Bey (beyhanna@msu.edu). Use the email subject line “Your Last Name 2025 Summer Technician Application,” and title the PDF document as “YourLastName_2025_Summer_Technician_Application.” Please contact Hannah Bey (beyhanna@msu.edu) with any questions!

Work Hours

Variable (generally 8-5 M-F but may require occasional evening/night/weekend work for a total of 40 hours per week)

Summary of Physical Demands

Ability to carry 50 lbs, work for long hours in the field, and hike off-trail in/out of sites