Marine Ecology Research Assistant UC San Diego
Filing Deadline: Fri 10/7/2016
DESCRIPTION
Under supervision, perform standard repetitive, technical laboratory and field experimental procedures. Responsible for helping to run a seawater monitoring program off of the Scripps Pier. Deploy and recover instruments monthly using SCUBA. Perform regular fieldwork off the Scripps Pier and offshore on small boats. Prepare supplies for sampling and acquire samples. Regularly work with and train new volunteers on the collection and processing of water samples for analysis. Perform launch, download, troubleshooting and servicing of sensitive instrumentation such as SeaFETs, Honeywell Durafets, and YSI instrumentation. Coordinate processing of water samples monthly and work meticulously with large data sets. Utilize carbonate chemistry programs such as CO2SYS and use data to calibrate instruments, graph and present data. Help to maintain a general marine ecology lab including a running seawater system and perform basic animal husbandry. Work with a large collection of California seaweeds and help with identification and cataloging into the Scripps herbarium. Responsible for conducting image analysis of benthic coral reef communities to determine community composition from sites around the Indo Pacific. Perform image editing, labeling, processing and analysis to the species or genus level using standard image analysis programs. Work with and train undergraduates in the image analysis protocol. Occasionally perform fieldwork in remote tropical Pacific locations to collect image based data using SCUBA.
Occasional travel to tropical Pacific locations required, 1-2 week durations. Field work will require working under cold and wet conditions at times. Ability to lift 40 lbs.
QUALIFICATIONS
B.S. Degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Theoretical knowledge of Marine Biology.
Demonstrated ability to identify common Pacific algae and invertebrates (temperate and tropical) including reef building coral species.
Experience operating small boats in coastal waters. Knowledge of safe shipboard and shore-side work procedures.
Experience with data base management and analysis. Ability to work meticulously with large data sets.
Experience deploying instrumentation.
Experience performing fieldwork along the California coast and be able to work cooperatively with a dynamic and interdisciplinary research team.
Experience conducting benthic community assessments using image analysis with requisite experience with IndoPacific marine species identification.
Familiarity using, downloading, and troubleshooting pH, DO, PAR light intensity instrumentation such as HACH meters, HOBO data loggers and Biospherical Instruments Inc. PAR Irradiance Sensors.
Familiar with using Mac and PC computers. Demonstrated proficiency using a variety of computer software such as the Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Jmp and Primer for data analysis, writing up results, and preparing presentations for dissemination of results.
Ability to use carbonate chemistry programs such as CO2SYS and use data to calibrate instruments, graph and present the data.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Current American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver SCUBA Certification required.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html