Research Coordinator - Lawn Alternatives

Title: Research Coordinator – Lawn Alternatives

Exemption Status: Non-exempt  

Department: Conservation Science

Reports to: Conservation Scientist   

Year-round  Full-time, (anticipated one year term position with the possibility of renewal based on grant funding)

Supervises: Volunteers, students 

Year-Round Full-time employees of the Chicago Botanic Garden are eligible for the following Benefits:

•  2026 A Guide to Your Benefits JP.pdf 

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 

We are seeking a research coordinator to join the science department. This one-year, full-time term position (with possibility of renewals), beginning after March 2026, will support the Rethinking Lawns project. This is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden and Chicago Park District studying ecosystem services associated with alternative lawn plantings, as well as how to best install and maintain lawn alternative plantings. This position will include field data collection and site maintenance at lawn alternative field sites at the Chicago Botanic Garden and in multiple Chicago Park District parks. During non-field time, a major component of the work will be entering, cleaning, and analyzing data collected. In addition, the lead technician will contribute to manuscript writing and other types of science communication. The successful candidate will join a collaborative group of scientists and land managers in the Chicago area and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following: 

• Collect, clean, and analyze data collected as part of the Rethinking Lawns project.
• Assist in manuscript writing. 
• Assist with fieldwork in the summer at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and in several sites at Chicago Park District. This will include plant and pollinator identification, collecting water infiltration data and soil data. 
• Assist in planting and maintenance of research plantings at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Chicago Park District. 
• Assist with additional lab, field, and literature research as needed. 
• Coordinate lawn alternatives projects across the Chicago Botanic Garden. 
• Assist in other public science communication projects (e.g., writing for the public, giving presentations) as needed. 
• Contribute to managing grant expenses and reporting when needed. 
• Depending on their interests, the lead technician will be able to expand their work into an independent research project and, if interested, attend/present at conferences. 

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a related scientific field included but not limited to: ecology, environmental sciences, biology, geography, or plant science 
• At least one field season working outdoors over a range of weather conditions
• Experience with data analysis and/or scientific writing
• Comfort traveling to neighborhoods throughout Chicago and being outdoors in public urban spaces
• Experience using programs such as Excel for entering and storing data
• Experience working in both laboratory and field settings  
• A valid driver’s license with a good driving record
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to coordinate research activities 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred

• Masters in Science degree preferred
• Experience collecting data on plants, pollinators, or soil preferred
• Experience using R for data analysis
• Experience with education and outreach activities related to ecology

Work Environment, Travel, and Physical Demands

This position will require work in an office, lab and field, some of which will not be at the Chicago Botanic Garden. All field locations are in the greater Chicago region. During summer, much of the time for this position will be spent outside in potentially physically demanding conditions. Standing, walking, and bending for data collection is required. Some requirements for lifting, pushing, or pulling items less than 30 pounds.

To apply: To apply, complete the application and upload a resume/c.v. for this position. Please do not submit a cover letter. Instead, please complete the three questions provided in the application. For questions about the role, please contact Becky Barak by emailing rbarak@chicagobotanic.org. 

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, the 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.