Program on the Environment

Exciting research positions in Mountain Hydrology 

We are planning to fill the following positions, to start work on June 16, 2014. Pay rate $13 to $15 per hour, dependent on experience. 

Summer-only research field technicians: 

3 to 4 people are needed to deploy digital cameras and measurement poles in remote regions of Olympic National Park. (2 people will be needed both for instrument preparation and for fieldwork, with a 2-month minimum commitment.1-2 people will be needed only for 3 field trips of approximately 7 days each.) The cameras will be taking photographs of snow accumulating on the poles throughout the winter to quantify spatial patterns of snow in these mountains for the OLYMPEX field campaign (http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~brodzik/html/olympex/). Applicants must have an interest in snow and mountains and an ability to hike long distances over uneven terrain while carrying heavy and potentially odd-shaped objects (e.g., sections of PVC pipe and solar panels). Applicants must be available for training in late June, and in August and early September for deployments. (Note:Fieldwork will not conflict with regular UW classes.) The following skill/experiences are desired (though applicants with most but not all of these will be considered): 1) ability to fix things relying only on supplies you carry (e.g., experience with circuits, fixing cars, construction, home repair), 2) ability to work well with others in potentially harsh weather conditions, 3) good communication skills, 4) good organizational skills (e.g., experience with organizing/leading outdoor trips and/or with teaching/instruction/management), 5) ability to think quickly on one’s feet and innovate (e.g., solve problems not seen before). 

Long-term undergraduate research aide: 

1 to 2 people are needed to work up to full time in the summer and part time through the academic year to 1) maintain instrumentation at Snoqualmie Pass (seehttp://depts.washington.edu/mtnhydr/research/intermitsnow.shtml), 2) maintain web presentation and archiving of data collected (see http://depts.washington.edu/mtnhydr/cgi/plot.cgi) , 3) process field data from various data sites across the western United States, 4) procure field equipment as needed, 5) copy and scan material as needed, 6) attend group meetings and 7) provide progress reports and updates to supervisor on a weekly basis. Past students in this position have won Mary Gates Undergraduate Research scholarships, and many have gone on to graduate school. Computer experience is required, with knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Matlab (or other similar programming language) highly desirable. Experience with GIS, circuits, and web(html)-programming also desired.Must be hard-working, organized and reliable. 

Potential combined position: 

Students interested in both Olympic National Park fieldwork and longer term snow research are particularly desirable. Please specify if you would like to be considered for a long-term position participating in all of these activities. 

To Apply: 

If you are interested in any of these positions, please fill out the web survey at: 

https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/jdlund/233885 

before 5 pm on May 1st. We will be contacting highly-ranked individuals for interviews in May. Specific questions may be directed to Jessica Lundquist at jdlund@uw.edu.