Research Assistant

Title: Research Assistant

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

Department: Conservation Science

Reports to: Biology Integration Institute (BII) Project Manager

Seasonal Full-time

Supervises: Volunteers, student researchers

Seasonal Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for the following Benefits:

• Wellness initiative benefit, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Retirement plan
• Holidays, Holiday Thank you pay
• Garden membership - free to employees at Household Plus level
• Discounts to Garden Shop, Cafe, Garden-sponsored educational classes
• Employee events such as Orchid show, Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns, Lightscape employee & friends preview night

Compensation Philosophy:

At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our compensation philosophy is rooted in our core values: Growth, Understanding, Resilience, and Trust through Transparency. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

Our objective is to create compensation and growth opportunities for our employees that are highly competitive, internally equitable and transparent. The foundation of our efforts is a straightforward approach that can be easily communicated by managers with defined pay ranges for all positions. When posting job openings, we share the minimum salary up to the budgeted amount.

The starting salary for new staff members is determined by considering the salary range assigned to the position and by reviewing the candidate's qualifications for the job as compared with job responsibilities. Prior work experience should be considered in determining the salary offer, provided that it is relevant to the job. Additional factors such as secondary language proficiency or advanced degrees that enhance performance may also be considered. A candidate's salary may exceed the minimum amount based on factors such as experience, additional skills (e.g., secondary language proficiency), or pertinent degrees that enhance the individual's contribution to the role but are not required. Opportunities for increased compensation are provided through referral bonuses, shift differentials, Thank You Pay, promotions, and periodic pay increases based on the Garden's overall performance and financial budgets. Our total compensation and benefits package is people centric. We prioritize employee wellness across three pillars: physical, mental, and financial. Our goal is to offer innovative total rewards that support continuous professional growth, personal development, and provide the flexibility needed to balance personal and professional commitments.

Position Overview: This full-time, five-month research assistant (RA) position will support the implementation of an NSF-funded research project, through the multi-institution New Roots for Restoration Biology Integration Institute (BII), investigating the impacts of within-species functional trait variation in native prairie communities, along with sustainable agriculture research. The position will start on or after July 21, and the RA will spend most days working outdoors collecting data and maintaining study plots (including weeding, mowing, and monitoring) at a field-based experiment in Mettawa, Illinois. Indoor work will include processing plant samples and entering data from the field experiments. The successful candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team of scientists from institutions across the country and build key skills in plant ecology and data collection and management. Along with data collection and site maintenance, the RA will also have the opportunity to mentor students in the field and in the lab. This position is reliant on federal funding and will end if the grant is canceled.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Collect data from plants and/or soils in a field setting
• Process plant and/or soil samples in a laboratory setting
• Track and document field activities
• Data entry, cleaning, and proofing
• Weeding and other activities related to maintaining field experiment plots
• Report progress, needs, challenges to supervisors in weekly meetings
• Join the Garden's monthly BII team meetings
• Join meetings with the broader BII team as needed
• Use Garden vehicles responsibly and report any issues
• Mentor volunteers and students

Qualifications
Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a related scientific field
• At least one field season working outdoors over a range of weather conditions
• Six months of experience collecting data, where attention to detail and record-keeping is important
• Six months of experience working in a lab setting, or a desire to learn
• A valid driver's license and a good driving record
• Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment

Physical Demands:

Frequent standing, walking, bending, listening, speaking, lifting, and pushing, including outdoors in inclement weather. Exposure to poison ivy, bees, ticks, mosquitoes, pollen, other potential allergens, and wildlife.

To Apply

To apply, submit an application and upload a resume. Please do not submit a cover letter; instead, complete the three questions [1] provided in the application. For questions about the role, please contact Liz Vogel (lvogel@chicagobotanic.org). Application reviews will begin on July 14, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Why Apply?
Come work in a setting that is like no other as you support our mission: We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life. Take the first step toward being one of the employees who make the Garden one of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Apply today. Please note that applicants who do not meet the required qualifications will not be considered.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Chicago Botanic Garden does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs or activities, including in employment or admissions. Please call (847) 835-8264 to contact our Title IX Coordinator should you have questions or concerns. Please do not call this number to inquire about job postings or the status of your application, or with solicitations from companies or third-party recruiters.