Research Associate, SCCF Marine Laboratory

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, SCCF MARINE LABORATORY

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and care for southwest Florida ecosystems. The SCCF Marine Laboratory is a member of the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories (SAML) and Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) with 6 resident staff. SCCF is offering a research position for a committed early or mid-career science professional. We are also committed to a diverse workplace and strongly encourage applications from all groups.

Qualifications:

Minimum of a M.S. with 2 or more years’ experience in marine, estuarine or an appropriate environmental research or environmental engineering with an emphasis in water resources.
Prior experience with boats and field work required. This should include small boats to 22'; ability to trailer/launch boats.
Must be certified SCUBA diver with minimum of 30 hours of bottom time greater than 20’.
College level science, environmental, marine science, or invertebrate courses required.
Must demonstrate experience in writing research and grant proposals and reports with related analyses and graphics, and presentations of scientific results.
PC experience, w/Excel, Access, Powerpoint, ArcGIS, SigmaPlot required. Experience with ArcGIS, Matlabs, R, or other statistical software preferred.
Must be able to develop and follow detailed protocols and established QA/QC procedures.
Must have or be able to obtain a valid FL driver’s license. Able to lift heavy sampling gear, swim, snorkel and dive with appropriate certifications; operate and trailer small boats. Must be able to swim and lift 50 lbs in field. Must be able to do field work often under difficult circumstances.
SCCF is a drug-free workplace, and the successful applicant will take a drug screening test within 2 weeks of starting the position.
Candidates must be able to legally work in the United States as a US permanent resident.

Job functions:

Directs the day-to-day operations of one or more lab projects/programs. Direct and aids in research, monitoring involving local estuarine habitats (seagrass, oyster reefs and mangrove shorelines).
Pursues research interests in habitat functions related to fish and invertebrate life history and/or effects of marine heat waves or other disturbances on habitat functions.
Pursue research interests on water quality and relationships to flow, nutrient loads and habitat function in the Charlotte Harbor, Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, San Carlos Bay and neighboring region.

Duties and responsibilities:

Lead grant proposals and projects to pursue research interests including planning, sample collection, data analysis, statistics and reporting to funding agencies or through peer review publications.
Performs data entry and management, GIS, leads data analysis through production of graphs, reports, summaries as required. Identifies marine plant, macroalgae, fish and invertebrates using dichotomous keys.
Communicate with technical and general audiences through oral presentations at conferences or meetings through plain language summaries.
Leads field sampling of seagrass, water quality, and other funded research.
Assists with day-to-day research of the Marine Laboratory and the Foundation under the Lab Director. Duties may include sampling, sorting, measuring and associated tasks.
Requires little direct supervision and may supervise temporary grant personnel or interns at the research assistant or lower level.
Performs all other duties for the Director as needed.

Salary & Benefits: $50,000 plus health insurance, 401k match, and generous paid leave.

Starting Date: October 15, 2024

Please send:

1: A cover letter

2: Resume/CV

3: Contact information for 3 references whom we may contact