Marine Laboratory Research Associate, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Position Overview

Salary: $51,500 per year

Education Required: Master’s degree with at least two years of experience in marine, estuarine, environmental science, or environmental engineering (with a focus on water resources)

Description

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine Laboratory is hiring a Research Associate in Sanibel, Florida, paying $51,500 per year, to support research on Southwest Florida’s ecosystems.

The SCCF Marine Laboratory is a member of the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories (SAML) and has a staff of six resident scientists. SCCF is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

The Research Associate directs day-to-day operations of one or more laboratory research projects or programs, focused on local estuarine habitats including seagrass, oyster reefs, and mangrove shorelines, and investigates water quality dynamics in Charlotte Harbor, the Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, and San Carlos Bay.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operations of one or more laboratory research projects or programs.
• Conduct and support research and monitoring of local estuarine habitats, including seagrass, oyster reefs, and mangrove shorelines.
• Develop research related to habitat function, fish and invertebrate life history, and impacts of marine heatwaves and other disturbances.
• Investigate water quality dynamics, including relationships among flow, nutrient loading, and habitat function in Charlotte Harbor, the Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, and San Carlos Bay.
• Lead grant proposal development and research projects, including planning, field sampling, data analysis, and reporting.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and funding agency deliverables.
• Conduct data entry, database management, GIS analysis, and statistical analysis.
• Produce figures, summaries, and reports as required.
• Identify marine plants, macroalgae, fish, and invertebrates using dichotomous keys.
• Communicate scientific findings to technical and general audiences through presentations and written summaries.
• Lead field sampling efforts for seagrass, water quality, and related research.
• Support daily operations of the Marine Laboratory under the direction of the Lab Director.
• Supervise interns, technicians, or temporary grant-funded staff as needed.

Requirements

• Master’s degree with at least two years of experience in marine, estuarine, environmental science, or environmental engineering with a focus on water resources.
• Ability to develop and follow detailed protocols and established QA/QC procedures.
• Valid Florida driver’s license, or ability to obtain.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, swim, snorkel, and conduct fieldwork under challenging conditions.
• Must pass a background check and pre-employment drug test.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with fieldwork and vessel operation, including small boats up to 22 feet and trailering / launching.
• Certified SCUBA diver (advanced or scientific diving experience preferred).
• Coursework in environmental science, marine science, biology, or related fields.
• Experience writing research proposals, technical reports, and presenting scientific results.
• Proficiency with PC-based software including Excel, Access, PowerPoint, ArcGIS, and SigmaPlot.
• Experience with ArcGIS, MATLAB, R, or other statistical software.

Additional Notes

• Based at the SCCF Marine Laboratory in Sanibel, Florida.
• Benefits include health insurance, 401(k) match, and generous paid leave.

How to Apply

Apply through Trinet at https://app.trinethire.com/companies/23836-sanibel-captiva-conservati/jobs/120577-research-associate-sccf-marine-laboratory, and complete the required Google Forms questionnaire at https://tinyurl.com/SCCF-ML-Application.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter.
• Resume or CV.
• Completed SCCF Marine Lab Google Forms questionnaire.