Student Hourly at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas

Job Description:

Position OverviewThe Hileman Lab (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) is hiring undergraduates to assist with plant care and laboratory research. In the Hileman lab we study the genetics of flower trait evolution (hilemanlab.org). Student employees will carry out routine plant care tasks in the Haworth Hall greenhouse (3014 Haworth Hall) including the following: watering, fertilizing, treatment for fungal pests, propagation by cuttings, pollination and seed collection. In addition, students interested in gaining research skills will be able to contribute to data collection in the lab (8009 Haworth Hall). For example, excel data entry/management, microscopy, data acquisition from images using ImageJ (an open-source software distributed by the National Institutes of Health and widely used for biological image analysis), DNA and RNA extractions and PCR analyses.Job DescriptionThe position does not require heavy lifting, but light lifting (for example, 1 gallon filled watering cans, approximately 8 lbs.) is required. The position does not require labor-intensive tasks, but does require extended periods of time standing during plant care and repetitive hand activity (spray equipment).Required Qualifications

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: 1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester, or 2) be pre-enrolled in upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours, or 3) be enrolled in summer session, or 4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).Acceptable candidates for the position must be available to work during Summer 2024 on the KU Lawrence campus; live within driving/walking distance of the Main KU Lawrence campus and not be planning time away for more than two weeks during the Summer break.Acceptable candidates for the position must be available to work a minimum of two mornings per week (weekdays and/or weekends), starting by at latest 9:00 am.Acceptable candidates for the position must be majoring in biology (or related field, for example biochemistry, environmental studies). All stages of study are acceptable.

Preferred QualificationsThe ideal student for this position:

1. is a Biology major, interested in plant genetics research, as evidenced by information provided in their cover letter.


2. is not graduating before Spring 2025.


3. will be committed and reliable with respect to the agreed-upon schedule.


4. is careful and detail oriented.


5. is eager to learn, comfortable asking for help/clarification, and generally enthusiastic about asking technical questions whenever clarification or curiosity requires.

Additional Candidate InstructionsA complete application will include a cover letter briefly describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, a resume or CV, and names/contact information for two professional references. Apply online; applications must be submitted by midnight on the night of April 22nd, 2024.Contact Information to ApplicantsLena Hileman (lhileman@ku.edu)
Advertised Salary Range$13/hrWork ScheduleVaries. Up to 10 hours/week during the school year; up to 20 hours/week during the summer.Anticipated Start DateMonday May 6, 2024Apply to Job

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