Coastal Ecologist Lead (Research Technician III) - Office of Research and Sponsored Programs/Estuary & Ocean Science Center

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Coastal Ecologist will lead research projects and provide oversight for the daily function of lab and field research activities.

The candidate will oversee procedures and protocols, lead planning and implementation of field and laboratory experiments, supervise sample processing, provide lab organization including inventory and ordering of supplies, lead the lab group in data management and statistical analysis, and conduct report writing.

The candidate will arrange and schedule field work and manage student and volunteer contributions to lab and field work.

They will manage chemical inventory and safety training and documentation in the lab.

Position Information

Research Support

• Prepare detailed plans for study for research projects. This includes the development of protocols with direction for troubleshooting procedures, and optimization of standard laboratory and field operating procedures.
• Acquire data from ecological studies, conduct data analysis, and interpret data.
• Prepare graphic representations of study results to distribute to research partners.
• Oversee and advise student researchers.
• Write and maintain protocols.
• Organize and supervise the work of a small team (e.g. lab members).

Laboratory Function Support

• Maintain the function of critical laboratory equipment.
• Organize, plan and facilitate lab meetings and any other required meetings (e.g. with collaborators, students, etc.).
• Maintain lab space in an organized and clean manner.
• Maintain communication and relationships with companies for purchasing lab supplies and equipment.
• Manage chemical inventory and safety training documentation.
• Administrative Support.

Student Training & Supervisory Duties

• Supervise a small team of student trainees on the implementation of standard laboratory practices
• Provide guidance to a small team of trainees on the compilation and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data
• Develop and implement training modules on responsible conduct of research

Dissemination

• Report findings to the PI.
• Report research outcomes and interpretations of data at local, regional and national conferences
• Contribute to writing of reports and manuscripts.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledges and Abilities :

• Thorough knowledge of research techniques, including the planning of studies and investigations, the determining of variables and the developing of reference materials;
• thorough knowledge of research reporting techniques; general knowledge of machine learning techniques and the programming of data;
• thorough knowledge of the techniques and treatment of data such as simple correlation methods, trend analysis, frequency distribution analysis, sampling techniques, hypothesis testing and methods of interval estimation;

familiarity with the principles of personnel management and effective supervision and ability to direct the work of others.

Ability to reason logically and capacity for independent and creative thinking on research problems; ability to develop techniques for handling a large variety of detailed data and ability to analyze these data;

ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; ability to speak and write effectively; ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt an effective course of action.

Experience :

Three years of progressively responsible technical research or statistical experience including or supplemented by one year in the interpretation and graphic presentation of data.

Education :

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university. (Additional qualifying professional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

A background check (which may include : checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records, motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires).

Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in ecology, marine biology, or related field.
• Experience in field techniques for intertidal and subtidal ecological studies including experience in San Francisco Bay.
• At least 4 years of research experience.
• Strong ability in data visualization and statistical analysis.
• Experience working with and providing research training for undergraduates and graduate students.
• Prior experience as a lab manager for a research laboratory.

Environmental / Physical / Special

CA Boating certification and advanced open water SCUBA.

Able to work outdoors in wet and muddy conditions, able to lift 50 pounds, some work required on weekends and early mornings according to tide levels with schedule adjusted accordingly.

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