Employer: Gretchen Gerrish (ggerrish@wisc.edu; she/her)
Description:
We are seeking two team members to join in field and lab work to contribute to learning about and addressing challenges facing Manoomin (wild rice) in waters throughout the Ceded Territories. We are looking for individuals enthusiastic to work within tribal, academic, and agency communities to promote and support the future of Manoomin. Individuals will be tentatively spending 2 days on water in the field, 2 days building partnerships and outreach and 1 day in the lab. Prior relationship with Manoomin and/or in supporting tribal priorities for cultural harvest is preferred. Employed individuals will be supported to work and live at the Center for Limnology’s Trout Lake Field Station in Vilas County, WI. Or, the individuals can remain embedded within their communities, connecting to tackle wild rice priorities based on shared discussion.
Responsibilities (some training provided):
- Learn and understand the cultural and ecological importance of Manoomin in the Ceded Territory of Northern WI
- EX: read into past GLIFWC Manoomin reports, look into archives and primary sources
- Carry out field work with initial guidance and then independently once comfortable
- EX: quadrat sampling methods to identify plant characteristic on 6 different beds of Manoomin
- EX: water quality sampling with graduate student
- Enter field data accurately and within reasonable time of sample dates
- Attend Manoomin related events throughout Wisconsin
- Build respectful and reciprocal in relationships with Tribal Nation partners
- Help plan educational and outreach events
- EX: Rice Camps
- Help transcribe interviews previously done with people who have a relationship to Manoomin
- EX: introduction into social science research methods and analysis
Qualifications:
The successful applicant:
- will be comfortable on and in water
- will be comfortable traveling for field work throughout the Ceded Territories of Northern Wisconsin
- will have an enthusiastic approach to field work, including tolerance of unpleasant weather in the field
- will have excellent writing and communication skills and will successfully interact with the intern and the Principal Investigators
- will have to be comfortable reaching out to folks an prioritize building good relationships with community members
- will be flexible in working with Tribal Nations
- will have good organizational skills for maintaining a research schedule and oversee quality assurance of data
- will be creative in helping design research strategies
- will have a familiarity with boating and trailering (desired but not required)
Details:
- Number of positions: 2
- Start date: June 2025
- End date: late-August to early September, 2025
Location:
This position is located at the Center for Limnology’s Trout Lake Station in Boulder Junction, WI in northern Wisconsin. Dormitory style housing (not food) is provided free of charge. Enjoy swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, and shoreline campfires while gaining valuable experience! Student research experience at TLS video.
How to Apply:
- Send resume and cover letter via email to Gretchen Gerrish ggerrish@wisc.edu and Sagen Lily Quale squale@wisc.edu
- Applications will be viewed on a rolling basis
- We will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled.
- You will receive an email from Gretchen and Sagen scheduling an interview via zoom for the position
The University of Wisconsin-Madison in an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.