[FWS-only] Biology Undergraduate Research Assistant

Lab Manager: Tadashi Fukami, Department of Biology

Job Description: The Fukami Lab is seeking four undergraduate research assistants during the 2022 Winter and/or Spring quarters. The students will work with Professor Fukami and his collaborators to collect chemical and microbiological data from flowers of the 512 native monkeyflower plants that were recently planted along the hiking road on the Dish hill. In addition, they will analyze these data to participate in an ecological study to understand the relationship between the monkeyflower plants, the hummingbirds that visit the plants for floral nectar, and the microorganisms that colonize the nectar via the hummingbirds. The data will not only contribute to the research conducted in the Fukami Lab, but will also lay foundations for new student-led projects in the Biology 47 course in the future.

The duties will consist of:
· Going to the Dish hill to measure pollination and nectar pH and collect nectar samples for microbial analysis
· Making microbial medium and counting yeast cells in nectar samples in the lab
· This is a great opportunity for students to learn how ecological, environmental, and microbiological research works regardless of prior laboratory experience.

All research will take place on Stanford Main Campus, in the Dish area, in the Bass Biology building, and in the Sapp Center for Teaching and Learning.

For more information about this project, see: https://web.stanford.edu/~fukamit/Bio47-relocation-20211020.pdf

Qualifications: The students must be willing to do field work at the Dish hill. No prior experience is necessary; all training will be included in the position. A positive attitude, enthusiasm to learn, and attention to detail are the most important qualities in potential applicants. Training and supervision of the undergraduate research assistants will be provided primarily by Professor Fukami, graduate students, and teaching lab staff.

Requirements: Applicants should be available to start on either March 1st or 28th, 2022. The students should expect to work at least 6 hours and ideally 9 hours per week during the quarter. Students must be eligible for Federal Work Study.

Support: Eligible students will receive financial support via Federal Work Study.

Contact: Interested applicants should send their CV or resumé and statement of interest to Tad Fukami at . Deadline to apply is Monday, February 22nd, 2022.