"Lab Research Technician (Temporary)"

About the Position

This is a full-time, temporary position through June 30, 2026 with the possibility of reappointment. The Lab Research Technician ensures the continuous production, collection, processing, and archiving of environmental data collected at a meso-network of biometeorological field sites across California for the Oikawa Laboratory at the Cal State East Bay campus. This role is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and calibration of on-going field measurements of carbon, water and energy exchange between vegetation canopies and the atmosphere and the environmental sensors that measure the condition of the air, soil and water. The Lab Research Technician trains and provides lead work direction to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and visitors on laboratory and field techniques, as needed. This position writes analysis reports on sensor performance tests and calibrations, data quality and gap filling, and processes raw meteorological data to compute eddy covariance fluxes of mass and energy exchange. The Lab Research Technician also assists with the development and testing of new sensors and methods.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Design, Execution and Reporting of Research Studies: In consultation with the project leader, help propose research questions. Develop new research protocols and methods based on the proposed research questions. Carry out proposed research design from inception to data collection, required reports, granting agencies and publications. Lead graduate and undergraduate researchers in conducting the above studies. Contribute to the preparation of publications and conference presentations.
• Maintain, Operate and Design Technical Experimental Equipment: Set up and validate correct/accurate operation of research related equipment (e.g., a carbon dioxide, methane eddy covariance tower). Perform field maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting of research related equipment, e.g., a carbon dioxide, methane eddy covariance tower. Assist with the development and testing of new sensors. Design new observation systems in collaboration with other researchers.
• Collect, Organize and Analyze Quantitative Data: Regularly collect data from research equipment, e.g., visit research site to collect/download data. Curate database into which raw data are ingested and processed. Submit processed data to appropriate databases for dissemination and sharing, (e.g., to Ameriflux Data Archive at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). Lead graduate and undergraduate researchers in the analysis of the collected data.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university. (Additional qualifying professional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible technical research or statistical experience including or supplemented by one (1) year in the interpretation and graphic presentation of data. Graduate study in the social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistics, public or business administration or engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Knowledge and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of research techniques, including the planning of studies and investigations, the determining of variables and the developing of reference materials. Thorough knowledge of research reporting techniques. General knowledge of machine tabulation techniques and the programming of data. Thorough knowledge of the techniques and treatment of data such as simple correlation methods, trend analysis, frequency distribution analysis, sampling techniques, hypothesis testing and methods of interval estimation. Familiarity with the principles of personnel management and effective supervision and ability to direct the work of others. Ability to reason logically and capacity for independent and creative thinking on research problems. Ability to develop techniques for handling a large variety of detailed data and ability to analyze these data. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Ability to speak and write effectively. Ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt an effective course of action.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

Education: A Bachelor's of Arts or Science, or Master's of Science in engineering, physics, environmental science, or related STEM field. Experience: Two (2) or more years in an academic research environment. Experience in the design, fabrication, and assembly of scientific equipment involving consideration of such factors as cost, operating life, safety, size tolerances, installation and location of components, surface finishes, corrosion and machinability. Experience with website and database management (PHP, phpMyAdmin, Javascript, SQL, HTML). Experience programming collaboratively (e.g. Github, BitBucket, Sourcetree). Knowledge and Abilities: Immediate to advanced knowledge of solar power systems, meteorological sensors, gas analyzers, data loggers and programming languages, such as Matlab, Python, or R. Experience with skilled operation, repair, maintenance, and calibration of sophisticated and specialized scientific equipment in a laboratory or in the field, some of which may be deployed underground, underwater or at height. A combination of skills from different disciplines, crafts or trades for the design, fabrication, and construction of electric and electromechanical scientific equipment. Ability to train undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in field or laboratory techniques. Ability to organize and lead routine trips to field sites with students, staff, and/or visiting scholars. Ability to work with vendors to obtain quotes and information about specific instrumentation. Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule and work efficiently. Ability to work on multiple assignments, set priorities, reprioritize as necessary, and take initiative in defining and executing tasks.

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $5,279.00 per month to $7,415.00 per month. Cal State East Bay offers a broad range of benefits that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement (CalPERS), 401k, 457, 403(b), dependent and health care reimbursement accounts, life insurance, vacation and sick, 14 paid holidays, one personal holiday and tuition fee waiver. For more information on the benefits program, please visit our benefits website. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of our benefits package. This position may be eligible to participate in the Cal State East Bay hybrid telecommute program subject to management approval.

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay's beautiful main campus is located in the Hayward hills with panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Situated above the city of Hayward, the campus offers an ideal setting for teaching and learning and yet easy access to the many cities along the bay. The University has a satellite campus in Concord, a professional development center in Oakland and a significant presence online. Founded in 1957, Cal State East Bay is one of 23 universities of the California State University system (CSU). Cal State East Bay is recognized as a regionally engaged and globally oriented university with a strong commitment to academic innovation, student success, engaged and service learning, diversity, and sustainability.