Research Associate, Environmental Science, Biology

Overview

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences invites applications for a full‑time Research Associate I to work on two Deepwater Horizon (DWH) projects:
Lower Trophic Level Monitoring for Barataria Basin and Monitoring the Effects of Coastal Wetland Restoration on Fish and Invertebrates. The position is located in Galveston, TX, and requires quarterly travel.

We seek an individual to join the Population and Ecosystem Monitoring Division’s Habitat Ecology Branch (HEB) and assist with estuarine fieldwork and sample processing at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Southeast Fisheries Science Center Galveston Laboratory (SEFSC‑Galveston). The incumbent will work with HEB senior scientists to conduct large‑scale DWH Monitoring and Adaptive Management projects focused on lower trophic level and nekton baseline assessments relevant to restoration activities in Louisiana estuaries.

• Work as part of a large team including NMFS biologists and internal and external collaborators.
• Perform intensive field work and travel to coastal areas of Louisiana for up to 16 days per quarter.
• Conduct quantitative sampling of nekton and benthic communities in estuarine habitats using drop samplers, throw traps, and sediment cores.
• Sort and identify preserved nekton and benthic organisms from field samples.
• Use instrumentation in the field and laboratory to measure environmental variables including salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity.
• Enter research data into approved databases and complete QA/QC protocols on data files.
• Operate and maintain field and laboratory equipment, including laboratory vehicles, small boats and motors, trailers, pumps, water quality instrumentation, computers, GPS units, laboratory chemicals, storage areas, microscopes, and designated work spaces.

• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, ecology, aquatic science, fishery science, or related field.
• Experience sampling aquatic organisms in coastal environments.
• Knowledge of freshwater, brackish, and marine organisms including nekton and benthic infauna found in coastal areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico preferred.
• Experience in the use of taxonomic keys and microscopes to identify aquatic nekton and benthic organisms.
• Proficient with database and word processing software packages including Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Earth, Gmail, and Google Docs.
• Self‑motivated, demonstrated ability to work independently, strong task and time‑management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Basic experience operating small boats and trailers.
• Ability to work well in a team aboard small boats while conducting field work.
• Possess problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills, detail oriented.
• Willingness to travel on a quarterly basis to remote areas for extended periods of time.
• Ability to conduct work on uneven terrain and able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.

The University of Miami is recognized as one of the nation’s premier research institutions and academic health systems. With more than 20,000 faculty and staff, the University is committed to excellence and guided by a mission to positively impact the lives of students, patients, and communities locally and globally.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.  for additional information.

Job Status:
Full time
Employee Type:
Staff