Lab & Research Specialist

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

The primary focus of the Multispecies Research Group (MRG) at VIMS is the collection, analysis and generation of fisheries data in support of resources management and ecological conservation activities in the Chesapeake Bay and along the US Atlantic Coast. As such, this group maintains a robust field, laboratory and analytical infrastructure that is designed to support this mission.

The Research Technician’s core responsibilities will be related to the preparation and the execution of the ChesMMAP survey that is to be conducted by this program as well as to the laboratory processing of the field generated biological samples. Participation in the MRG’s other long-term monitoring surveys will be as needed.

Research Technicians perform a variety of routine, technical, and administrative responsibilities in support of research at the institute. They perform duties such as the following:

• Collecting specimens, preparing materials, and operating specialized lab equipment.
• Assisting in preparation for field work and participating in field activities.
• Providing administrative research support such as data integrity and collection of data resources.

They may work independently or as a member of a team. They work under general supervision, resolving most standard issues independently and referring complex issues to an upper-level manager. Technicians typically report to a program manager or director or may report to a senior level researcher.

Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Inventories necessary supplies and equipment for research cruises.
• Transports, stows, and configures all survey materials to the chartered fishing vessel.
• Assists with the implementation of all necessary catch processing procedures at sea, including proper use of all the catch processing equipment and troubleshooting of that equipment.
• Assists with the execution of all ancillary data collection protocols (net monitoring, tow tracks, site identification, and atmospheric and hydrographic monitoring).
• Conducts laboratory processing of fisheries-related samples, such as hard parts for aging and fish stomachs for diet determination.
• Participates in the other MRG field surveys as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Some knowledge of basic lab safety.
• Experience performing aquatic field sampling and data collection using standard fishery techniques in the field as well as the laboratory.
• Ability to follow defined procedures and guidelines under direct supervision.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions.
• Ability to maintain records, record data legibly, and conduct data entry with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to successfully complete tasks in outdoor environment.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree in a related field or the equivalent combination of education, training and or experience.
• Experience with electronics and in particular automated catch data equipment including Scantrol measuring boards, Marel motion-compensated balances, FEED software, and rugged computer equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sanitation techniques and laboratory & field work safety.
• Demonstrated knowledge of research and testing procedures and techniques.
• Ability to prepare samples and perform standard or routine lab testing.
• Demonstrated skills in operating and maintaining tools and equipment.
• Ability to follow defined procedures and guidelines or under minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail in collection and entry of data.
• Ability to maintain records and record test results to a high degree of accuracy.
• Proficiency in a variety of software applications to include MS office with the ability to record data.
• Ability to successfully complete tasks in outdoor environment, as applicable.
• Knowledge of the fauna of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Southern New England, and the Chesapeake Bay, particularly with respect to their identification and biology.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

• FIELD - 75% Participate and assist in field activities and sample collection. Assist in organizing and loading field supplies. Clean and store field gear.
• LABORATORY - 15% Perform standard/routine laboratory testing. Collect and prepare data and samples, assist in recording data. Prepare media. Conduct specialized preparation of equipment. Decontaminate infectious materials. Conduct standard chemical, microscopic, and/or bacteriological laboratory sampling tests for analysis.
• RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION - 5% Under the direction of supervisor or lab manager, assists in ensuring data accuracy. Adhere to required methodologies. Gather and compare data resources (literature and reference review).
• OTHER - 5% Assist with inventory and resupply.

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a temporary (hourly paid), 40 hour week position, not to exceed six (6) months.
• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and University policy.
• This position is subject to overtime during fieldwork operations including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required. Atypical work day at sea lasts 12 to 16 hours, beginning just before sunrise and extending after dusk.
• All hourly employees are subject to the limitations of the Virginia Manpower Control Program and total hours worked may not exceed, on average, 29 hours per week, over the course of a twelve month period beginning May 1 each year.
• Ability to successfully perform duties, often under adverse conditions (heavy seas, high winds, precipitation), for multiple weeks at a time, with the ability to resist motion sickness or at the minimum “work-through” bouts of motion sickness.
• Ability to lift 40-60lb baskets of fish repeatedly over a 12 to 16-hour work day on a moving vessel.
• Ability to work on a commercial trawling vessel chartered for scientific research and stay on board the vessel (overnight) for multiple weeks at a time.
• Ability to pass the VIMS at-sea survival training exercise upon employment.
• Term Restricted and Fund Restricted.