Job Summary

Join our team studying paleoceanography and paleoclimate. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is currently searching for a Research Assistant to join the Geology and Geophysics Dept. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position, and is eligible for benefits. This position is available for one year from date of hire, with extensions up to three years total possible.

We are seeking a scientifically curious, reliable, and detail-oriented individual to assist with a variety of lab-related activities to conduct cutting-edge research on oceanographic changes and natural climate variability over the past 100,000s of years (e.g., carbon storage, ocean circulation, oxygen concentrations, biological productivity). The individual will assist with general research needs and activities. Responsibilities include sampling sediment cores, prepping samples (washing and sieving sediment), and identifying and picking microfossils (planktonic foraminifera, benthic foraminifera, pteropods, otoliths) for isotope and elemental ratio analysis from the washed sediment. Additional tasks include acid-cleaning labware; high precision weighing; pipetting, sieving, preparing samples for stable isotope analysis and elemental ratio analysis on an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. With some supervision, employs established laboratory procedures, standard equipment, and fundamental concepts to conduct research tasks determined by field of study and scope of individual research project. An ideal candidate would have previous experience with some of these tasks and be diligent about documenting protocols used, data entry, and updating and maintaining databases.

Online application forms should be submitted with a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include information about your previous lab experience, previous experience with Excel and/or other programming languages, and why you are interested in this position. This is initially a one-year position that could be an opportunity to help recent college/university graduates develop skills and transition into the geosciences workforce or graduate school.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Executes designated research tasks, making use of selected laboratory experiments, equipment, data acquisition and processing, statistical analyses or other investigative techniques;
• Prepares data or material for analysis or presentation using standard research techniques;
• Processes, analyzes, and organizes data according to established technical procedures;
• Maintains records and databases related to research and/or research equipment.
• Communicates effectively with supervisors, particularly regarding prioritization of tasks and division of time between laboratories.
• As deemed necessary by supervisor

Desirable, but not required:

• Experience in sedimentology lab, including processing samples, sieving, and identifying and picking foraminifera
• Experience in trace-metal-free clean lab environments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to learn new techniques.
• Ability to work professionally with people from many different disciplines.
• Ability to document methods and results.
• Experience with data analysis.
• Experience with database entry and management skills.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, time management, and organizational skills

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field.
• Geochemistry and/or sedimentology lab experience.
• Familiarity with Excel and/or programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, R, Python).
• Applicants who do not have this experience, but are willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

Physical Requirements

The position will be split between lab work and computer work. Physical duties for this position include but are not limited to, ability to lift 25-50 lbs; and/or carry 10-25 lbs. Visual abilities to include near, far, and peripheral. Hearing requirements include the ability to hear and respond to instructions and communicate effectively. Other physical tasks include occasional prolonged standing/walking; use of hands for basic /fine grasping and manipulation, repetitive motion, reaching above and below the shoulders, and bending. Other occupational requirements include working around others, with others, and alone. Physical duties are subject to change.