NIWC - Sediment Ecotoxicity Assessment; SEA Ring Evaluation, Sampling, and Analysis Pr

Overview

The hourly rate for this position is $19.28 for Undergraduate III and is non-negotiable.

This Statement of Work encompasses the need for student services to provide technical and/or analytical support in the fields of Marine Biology, Oceanography, Biology, Engineering, and Chemistry toward the evaluation, sampling, and analysis support efforts related to the deployment of the NIWC-developed Sediment Ecotoxicity Assessment (SEA) Ring technology. This technology allows for the deployment of bioassay organisms (e.g., crustaceans, worms, and clams) in situ for evaluation of ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation.

This work will support NIWC Pacific’s effort entitled “Demonstration of a Commercially Available Peeper Passive Sampler for PFAS in Sediment.” The objective is to use upgraded SEA Ring equipment to assess the impact of PFAS-impacted sediments and groundwater upwelling on the bioaccumulation of PFAS in benthic organisms, as a line of evidence demonstration that peeper passive samplers are effective at characterizing PFAS impacts in sediment.

This information will be used to validate the accuracy and utility of the PFAS peeper passive sampler and to improve monitoring and survey efforts at PFAS-impacted sites. Equipment has recently been recovered and needs to be prepared/mobilized for the next deployments. Data from recent deployments needs to undergo analysis, interpretation, summarization, and documentation. These tasks will be conducted in the Bioassay Laboratory at NIWC Pacific in San Diego, CA.

The student(s) shall be involved in mobilization, demobilization, sampling, and data analysis of samples associated with SEA Ring, and with general laboratory maintenance.

The student contractor shall provide analytical and technical support in the following areas, as specified under individual task orders, to the work sponsor.

• Mobilizing and preparing equipment for upcoming deployments of SEA Rings
• Improving and streamlining fluid systems (mechanical and electrical engineering) as well as coding to improve SEA Ring performance and meet stringent requirements
• Demobilizing and cleaning of equipment from the NRSW last Spring
• Assistance in processing samples and data collected for the SEA Ring deployment
• Performing data analysis using Microsoft Excel and appropriate statistical software
• Maintaining laboratory facilities (e.g., washing glassware, calibration and maintenance of water quality meters and seawater system) and test organisms/cultures
• Conducting relevant literature searches pertaining to the studies and participating in report preparation
• Submit Monthly Status Reports and Bi-Weekly Time Reports in accordance with the base contract

Graduate Student 1 Must have a Bachelor’s degree in the required discipline and be enrolled in a Master’s degree program. Must be able to accomplish a minimum of 50% of the task without supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate Level 3 majoring in Marine Biology, Biology, Engineering, Environmental Science and/or Chemistry (Sophomore or higher)

• Coursework in marine biology, statistics, chemistry, environmental science, electrical engineering and/or computer engineering
• Expertise with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and common statistical software
• Interest and/or experience with designing environmental sampling equipment
• Desire to have a strong work ethic, be detail oriented, and have good communication skills
• Student available to work 20 hours per week (preferred)

• This position will require the employee to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Due to Department of Defense regulations, only US Citizens may qualify
• This is a student position and is limited to working 20 hours per week
• This position will remain open until filled
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check)
• SDSU Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides…