The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) has existed since 1977 for the purpose of fostering research collaboration between UW and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). CICOES’s research is at the forefront of investigations on climate change, ocean acidification, fisheries assessments, and tsunami forecasting.
CICOES has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist in Marine Carbon. This position will support various ongoing research projects associated with marine carbon chemistry, specifically local and global efforts to quantify ocean carbon cycling and ocean acidification.
This employee will be responsible for coordinating, collecting and analyzing seawater samples and observations in support of ocean acidification and ocean carbon cycle research conducted by CICOES and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This CICOES/UW employee will work within the Carbon Group at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory performing cutting-edge research on anthropogenic impacts on the marine carbon cycle, with a focus on ocean acidification studies.
Responsibilities:
- Lead lab-based seawater analysis for Marine Carbon Group through analysis of seawater samples for total alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon and pH using custom-built instruments in a laboratory setting following Good Laboratory Practices. This will be a primary responsibility of this position. This includes:
*Maintaining, troubleshooting, and enhancing complex analytical methods and equipment and ensuring safe handling and storage of laboratory chemicals.
*Recording, compiling, processing, and quality control of data and sample results using laboratory notebooks and software like MS Excel and Word.
*Carrying out general laboratory tasks such as chemical inventory management, glassware cleaning, ordering supplies, and maintaining an orderly, clean and safe laboratory space.
*Preparing data and metadata for submission to national data archives.
- Participate on coastal and open ocean oceanographic research cruises to collect and analyze seawater samples for alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon, and pH, and operate complex seawater chemistry monitoring instruments for seawater CO2 for periods of time from days to a few months.
- Assist Marine Carbon Group Principal Investigators (PIs) in managing multiple carbon and ocean acidification research and observational projects.
- Assist Marine Carbon Group PIs with data analysis and visualization and preparation of text, tables, and statistical analyses for scientific reports, publications, proposals, and presentations.
- Represent the group at technical meetings related to the employee’s key responsibilities.Other duties as necessary.
The impact of CICOES’s environmental research is felt by communities all over the world, and a broad variety of perspectives and life experiences is essential to the success of this research. We encourage candidates from groups historically and currently underrepresented in this field to apply. Please read about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here: https://cicoes.uw.edu/about/diversity/.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in marine science, oceanography, chemistry, biology, or similar
- 3 or more years of related work experience
- Competency using and following established laboratory procedures and instrumentation for analytical wet chemistry. Specifically, technical ability to analyze seawater samples for alkalinity and/or dissolved inorganic carbon and/or pH. Significant experience analyzing other marine chemistry parameters such as nutrients, trace metals, Winkler oxygens, or mass spectrometry with demonstrated proficiency using, troubleshooting and maintaining complex analytical instrumentation with a high degree of accuracy and precision will also suffice.
- Demonstrated strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail on repetitive routine analytical tasks and demonstrated ability to work with samples requiring a high level of accuracy and precision.
- Proficiency using basic computer programs like Word and Excel to compile and manage data and write technical reports.
- Ability to work on coastal and open ocean research vessels with little or no supervision for a period of days to over a month and comfortable travelling alone to remote locations to board ships.
- Willing to take courses or training workshops for CTD operation or other instrumentation and programs like Python, R or MATLAB.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Desired Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in marine science, oceanography, chemistry, biology or similar.
- Seagoing experience on research vessels, particularly operating, deploying and sampling a CTD/Rosette and/or plankton nets and collecting and analyzing samples for chlorophyll.
- Experience with software for data processing/analysis like Python or MATLAB and statistical analysis and visualization programs like Sigmaplot, Kaleidagraph, or Surfer.
- Experience using or programing in LabView.
- Experience with networking instruments and computers.
- Knowledge of or interest in the global carbon cycle, climate change science, and human impacts on the oceans, in particular ocean acidification.
- Lift 25-50 pounds alone, or heavier items with assistance.
University of Washington. More information.
