Biological Technician (Marine Invasion Ecology)
Deadline: Closes 20 March. Reviews begin 21 March 2022.
Location: This position with the Marine Invasions Research Laboratory will be based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 35 miles west of Washington D.C., and 35 miles south of Baltimore. The 2,650-acre SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, as well as educational and waterfront facilities.
Starting Salary: $40,883/year plus benefits. This is a trust-funded (non-federal) position. The appointment is initially for one year and is renewable annually, depending upon performance and available funding.
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. Standard schedule includes some weekend work and travel for weeks at a time during the active field season. Remote/hybrid work schedule is possible outside of the field season but should be based locally (e.g., within 50 miles of SERC).
Description: We are seeking a Biological Technician to assist with implementation of standardized field-based surveys of zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities in coastal bays and estuaries. In addition to field work, the employee will conduct laboratory-based identification of benthic invertebrates. These surveys support ongoing research to document the distribution of native and introduced species across marine and estuarine environments, specifically to evaluate invasion dynamics and effects on community structure. In addition to these projects, the employee will work with other teams across multiple concurrent research projects in the Marine Invasions Research Laboratory at SERC. These projects may involve laboratory-based, field-based, and data-driven research related to aquatic invasions. Professional development opportunities (e.g., training, workshops, seminars, etc.) both within SERC and across the Smithsonian Institution are also periodically available.
Duties will include:
-Support of field-based projects, including collection and processing of biological samples from various types of field sites. This may involve air or car travel to various locations in North America as well as possible local (shore-based) work on small boats.
-Use of dissecting and compound microscopes to identify and enumerate aquatic organisms from laboratory and field-based samples.
-Data entry to support projects related to biological invasions by non-native species in coastal ecosystems.
-Participation in monthly lab meetings as well as weekly meetings for working groups and individual projects as needed on Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
The SERC community recognizes the value of diversity in promoting innovative science and creative solutions, and we strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences and background to these positions. Competitive candidates will have some, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications and experiences, and we anticipate some on-the-job training will be provided. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital/parental/caregiver status and disability. Candidates for this position should be U.S. citizens or have a current visa/status that permits employment in the U.S.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
-Bachelor's degree in biology, aquatic, or environmental studies.
-Capable of lifting heavy loads (up to 50lbs), working outdoors for extended periods of time, and working on vessels operating in open waters.
-Demonstrated competence with dissecting and compound microscopes.
-Working knowledge of computer programs such as: MS Excel, MS Word or similar word processing program, presentation software such as MS PowerPoint or similar.
-Ability to relate to and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
-Ability to work as a team member on multiple projects.
-Ability to travel to field sampling locations for up to 2-3 weeks at a time, especially in summer months.
-Demonstrated ability to take initiative and responsibility.
-Interest in marine ecology, invertebrate taxonomy, and/or invasion biology.
To Apply: Applications should include a cover letter that clearly describes your work experience, working independently as well as a member of a team, and training/education as these relate to the position. A current resume and an unofficial copy of your college transcript should also be included. Applications should be submitted by email to Laura Falsone (FalsoneL@si.edu ), with Biological Technician (SERC) as the subject line.
Location: This position with the Marine Invasions Research Laboratory will be based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland. SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 35 miles west of Washington D.C., and 35 miles south of Baltimore. The 2,650-acre SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, as well as educational and waterfront facilities.
Starting Salary: $40,883/year plus benefits. This is a trust-funded (non-federal) position. The appointment is initially for one year and is renewable annually, depending upon performance and available funding.
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. Standard schedule includes some weekend work and travel for weeks at a time during the active field season. Remote/hybrid work schedule is possible outside of the field season but should be based locally (e.g., within 50 miles of SERC).
Description: We are seeking a Biological Technician to assist with implementation of standardized field-based surveys of zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities in coastal bays and estuaries. In addition to field work, the employee will conduct laboratory-based identification of benthic invertebrates. These surveys support ongoing research to document the distribution of native and introduced species across marine and estuarine environments, specifically to evaluate invasion dynamics and effects on community structure. In addition to these projects, the employee will work with other teams across multiple concurrent research projects in the Marine Invasions Research Laboratory at SERC. These projects may involve laboratory-based, field-based, and data-driven research related to aquatic invasions. Professional development opportunities (e.g., training, workshops, seminars, etc.) both within SERC and across the Smithsonian Institution are also periodically available.
Duties will include:
-Support of field-based projects, including collection and processing of biological samples from various types of field sites. This may involve air or car travel to various locations in North America as well as possible local (shore-based) work on small boats.
-Use of dissecting and compound microscopes to identify and enumerate aquatic organisms from laboratory and field-based samples.
-Data entry to support projects related to biological invasions by non-native species in coastal ecosystems.
-Participation in monthly lab meetings as well as weekly meetings for working groups and individual projects as needed on Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
The SERC community recognizes the value of diversity in promoting innovative science and creative solutions, and we strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences and background to these positions. Competitive candidates will have some, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications and experiences, and we anticipate some on-the-job training will be provided. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital/parental/caregiver status and disability. Candidates for this position should be U.S. citizens or have a current visa/status that permits employment in the U.S.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
-Bachelor's degree in biology, aquatic, or environmental studies.
-Capable of lifting heavy loads (up to 50lbs), working outdoors for extended periods of time, and working on vessels operating in open waters.
-Demonstrated competence with dissecting and compound microscopes.
-Working knowledge of computer programs such as: MS Excel, MS Word or similar word processing program, presentation software such as MS PowerPoint or similar.
-Ability to relate to and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
-Ability to work as a team member on multiple projects.
-Ability to travel to field sampling locations for up to 2-3 weeks at a time, especially in summer months.
-Demonstrated ability to take initiative and responsibility.
-Interest in marine ecology, invertebrate taxonomy, and/or invasion biology.
To Apply: Applications should include a cover letter that clearly describes your work experience, working independently as well as a member of a team, and training/education as these relate to the position. A current resume and an unofficial copy of your college transcript should also be included. Applications should be submitted by email to Laura Falsone (FalsoneL@si.edu ), with Biological Technician (SERC) as the subject line.