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Position Announcement
Marine Biology Technician Smithsonian Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO)
The Smithsonian Institution seeks an energetic, field-oriented marine biologist to support the Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO), a growing network of partners collaborating to understand how coastal ecosystems work and how to keep them working in a changing ocean. The partnership is coordinated by the Smithsonian’s Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network (TMON) and applies standardized observations and coordinated experiments to long-term research on biodiversity and functioning in shallow waters. The network includes the Smithsonian’s field facilities in Maryland (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center), Florida (Smithsonian Marine Station), Belize (Carrie Bow Cay Field Station), and Panama (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Bocas del Toro Station), and a growing list of partner institutions.
The Marine Biology Technician provides technical support for a range of field and laboratory activities in MarineGEO’s research program under the guidance of the TMON Director. Duties include field sampling, identification of marine organisms; field and laboratory experiments; preparation and curation of preserved specimens and tissues for genetic analysis; deposition and management of specimens in museum collections; maintenance and data retrieval from environmental monitoring instruments; management, entry, and analysis of data; and assistance in preparation and publication of reports, proposals, and manuscripts.
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, with Master’s degree strongly preferred, in Biology, Marine Science, or related field. The position requires practical knowledge of biology and taxonomy of marine organisms and marine research procedures. Ability to operate small boats is strongly preferred. Scuba certification and scientific diving experience (preferably certified by AAUS) are strongly preferred and must be completed soon after acceptance of the position. The applicant must be detail-oriented, responsible, prepared to travel and work in challenging field conditions, and competent in computer use, data entry and management, statistical analysis, and effective writing skills.
The position is based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, MD. This is a full-time, permanent, trust-fund position with similar requirements and benefits to a federal position. The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.
To apply, please send the following as a single PDF document to marinegeo@si.edu: Curriculum Vitae, cover letter summarizing relevant experience, and the names and full contact information (email, phone, postal address) of three references.
Review of applications will begin on 10 April 2018 and will continue until the position is filled.
J. Emmett Duffy Director, Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network Smithsonian Institution