Mycology Assistant

Job Type
Temporary
Description
About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family - as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs.
For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org .
Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Seasonal Mycology Assistant in our Research Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:
Position Summary
This position involves field work, mycology field specimen processing, herbarium specimen processing and data entry, molecular laboratory work: DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing amplified materials, organization and record keeping for sequence data and vials of DNA from DBG specimens.
General Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in field work for fungal surveys, demographic monitoring, in situ photography, and transcribe data into Excel spreadsheets.
• Assists in assigned aspects of specimen and sample processing, including but not limited to tissue samples and natural history collections.
• Assists with collecting assigned aspects of collecting natural history collections including but not limited to taking detailed field notes and pictures of fungal sporocarps and habitats, transcribing field notes to the appropriate specimen database, creating labels and matching with specimens.
• Aids in fungal identification in the field and herbarium.
• Participates in day-to-day natural history collection tasks including but not limited to specimen processing by assisting with each step of processing workflow, especially pressing, and drying of large quantities of plants as they are brought in from the field.
• Assists in processing specimen tissues samples for DNA analysis including DNA extraction, PCR, purification of PCR samples, prepping samples for outsourcing sequencing.
• Receives and edits sequence data from specimens.
• Organizes and annotates of sequence data and obtaining Genbank ID numbers for sequences.
• Assists with digitization projects of herbarium specimens.
• Maintains satisfactory working relationships with managers, co-workers, and others.
• Maintains a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor.
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Requirements
Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of fungal biology is necessary.
• Basic laboratory skills are required (pipetting, centrifugation, aliquoting, buffer and reagent preparation).
• Ability to hike off-trail often in steep, exposed terrain while carrying moderately heavy equipment for extended periods of time sometimes in inclement weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, wind, and direct sunlight) at moderate to high altitudes in the presence of wild animals including insects (such as bees, wasps, and mosquitoes).
• Must have strong record-keeping skills, be self-directed and able to effectively problem-solve or be proactive in communicating potential problems and offering possible solutions with the Assistant Curator.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as laboratory protocols, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelors degree in mycology, molecular laboratory work, botany, biology, environmental sciences, or related areas, or 1 year related experience or training.
• Undergraduate class work in mycology and/or experience with molecular laboratory methods (DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis) is required.
• Position requires a valid driver's license.

Travel:
Up to 10% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.
Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!
Salary Description
$18.75 - Per Hour