Biological Technician (Marine Biologist - Marine Invasions Lab) at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Employment type Full-time

Federal position? No

Salary: $46,610 per year plus benefits. This is a trust-funded (non-federal) position.

Duration
Initially one year and is renewable annually, depending upon performance and available funding.

Location: Edgewater, MD

Work model: Onsite

Overview
We are seeking a Biological Technician - Marine Biologist to assist with the implementation of standardised field-based surveys of soft-sediment benthic invertebrate communities in Chesapeake Bay. In addition to field work, the employee will assist with processing sediment samples in the laboratory for genetic and taxonomic identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates. This research aims to characterise benthic communities in Chesapeake Bay, including tidal portions of Chesapeake Bay estuaries, and evaluate status and trends in benthic community composition and structure across sites, including effects of non-native species on overall patterns. In addition to this project, 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 primarily 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.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. The standard schedule includes some weekend work and travel within Maryland during the active field season.

Eligibility: Candidates for this position should be U.S. citizens or have a current visa/status that permits employment in the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

Duties will include:

• Support of field-based projects, including the collection and processing of biological samples from various types of field sites. This will primarily involve sediment collection from estuaries throughout Maryland, but may also involve air or car travel to various locations in North America, as well as possible local (shore-based) work.
• Use of dissecting and compound microscopes to sort, identify and enumerate aquatic organisms from field-based samples.   
• Data entry and QA/QC for analyses to evaluate benthic community characteristics. 
• Participation in monthly lab meetings as well as weekly meetings for working groups and individual projects, as needed, on Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Qualifications and Requirements

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 small 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, and 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 the summer months.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and responsibility.
• Interest or experience in trailing and operating small boats (<20 ft)
• Interest in marine ecology, invertebrate taxonomy, and/or invasion biology. 

How to Apply
Applications should include a cover letter that clearly describes your work experience, working independently as well as being 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 - Marine Biologist (SERC) as the subject line.

Contact
Laura Falsone
FalsoneL@si.edu

About SERC
SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located in Edgewater, MD, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles east of Washington DC, and 40 miles south of Baltimore. SERC's 2,650-acre campus is a living laboratory for long-term ecosystem research on forests, farmland, wetlands, shorelines, and estuaries. The SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, as well as education and waterfront facilities, dormitories for interns, and guest housing for visitors.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact CoyleB@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhance our daily work life and contributes to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeo.