Employer: Jacqueline Lemaire (she/her), Prof Trina McMahon ( she/her), Jake Vander Zanden (he/him)
Description:
The McMahon and Vander Zanden Lab microbial observatory at the Center for Limnology (CFL) is looking to hire a dedicated and inquisitive undergraduate student as a Research Technician to continue to add to the North Temperate Lakes Long Term Ecological Research long term data collection (NTL-LTER) on Lake Mendota, in Madison, Wisconsin. This position is based between the CFL Hasler Lab and Microbial Science Building in Madison, WI and will involve fieldwork and lab-work to collect water and biological samples in Lake Mendota. The student will additionally assist in data collection and data management. The McMahon lab has been studying harmful blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms in Lake Mendota for 20 years. A summer student would continue this work through a combination of field work and lab work. The student will be a member of our summer Lake Mendota Microbial Observatory field crew that collects samples twice weekly, weather permitting by boat.
The student will learn basic methods to measure water quality. Under the mentorship of a PhD student in Genetics and graduate student at the CFL, the summer student will collect water samples using a motorized boat at the deep hole (middle) of the lake, specifically for future DNA extraction and metagenomic sequencing of the samples. Additionally, limnological measurements are taken with sonde meters and secchi disks at the time of sampling. The student will assist in other lab projects within our team such as microscopy to count invasive zooplankton and cyanobacteria identification. This work will contribute to our broader understanding of how cyanobacterial communities change across the summer season, with implications for production of potent toxins and degrading water quality. Microbiome analysis is a possibility if the student is interested in learning data analysis techniques in RStudio.
Independent projects will be developed in collaboration with mentors based on student’s interest within the field of microbial ecology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
Having students with different life experiences and backgrounds is critical to ensure the exchange of diverse ideas that is called for in training tomorrow’s scientists. Because we are actively working to increase diversity and inclusivity in our discipline, underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct field work and data collection on Lake Mendota with supervisor or peer researcher (training will be provided)
- Launch and drive a boat from Hasler Lab basement (training will be provided)
- Collect regular water samples and environmental data using sondes and filter water to collect and store samples for future nutrient testing, and microbial sequencing
- Assist in processing microbial samples for DNA and other analyses with supervisor or peer researcher
- Assist with culturing and learning tools for identifying microbial taxa
- Count spiny water flea (invasive zooplankton) taxa on a microscope (training provided)
- Data entry and beginner analysis
Qualifications:
- Comfortable working outside and on motorized boats
- Willing to work under variable weather conditions (safety first)
- Experience working in a laboratory setting (coursework experience acceptable)
- Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively and respectfully with team members
- Flexible with problem solving and in-the-field decision making
- Attention to detail and interest in biology
- Good organizational skills
- Valid driver’s license which meets UW Risk Management standards is required
Details:
- Number of positions: 1
- Start date: mid-late May 2026
- End date: late August 2026
- Pay: $14.50 no experience; $14.75 some experience; $15.00 very experienced
Location:
- The hired research assistant will have an office in the Microbial Science Building (1550 Linden Drive, Madison, WI) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s main campus; perform fieldwork on Lake Mendota using boat/field gear from CFL Hasler Lab.
- Lab sample processing will be performed at the Microbial Sciences Building. Sample analysis may occur at Microbial Sciences Building, Engineering Hall (1415 Engineering Drive) or Water Science and Engineering Laboratory (660 N Park St) all on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
- Housing is not provided.
How to apply:
- Application link
- Priority consideration deadline: Feb 27th
- We accept applications until all positions are filled.
- Indicate Mendota Microbial Observatory (MeMO) Research Technician preference on your application and contact Jackie Lemaire if you have any questions.
The CFL is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to an inclusive and positive working environment for all.