| Job Description: |
Starting date ASAP. Applications will be accepted immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience, includes full benefits and other support
Preferred Skills and Abilities: The Marine Laboratory at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
(SCCF) has an immediate opening for a research associate with a background in marine or estuarine ecology,
with experience working with invertebrates (especially shellfish) and vertebrates. The successful candidate
will conducting field work related to intertidal oyster habitat, water quality and other critical habitats. Strong
preference will be given to candidates with an M.S. in environmental, marine or ecological sciences.
Existing scientific diving experience (AAUS or similar) also a plus. The individual will work closely with
senior lab staff and its collaborators in the planning, execution (field sampling and related lab analyses),
interpretation of results, and associated reporting. Prior field work experience, including small boat
operation and trailering (<23') boats required. The successful candidate should have excellent written and
oral skills (presentations at scientific meetings, publications, etc.), be able to work independently, be
proficient in the use of software including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and graphical (e.g., SigmaPlot, Surfer)
and statistical (e.g., SPSS, SYSTAT, JMP, Primer) software. Prior experience supervising others will also
be critical. He or she should be able also to create and follow QA/QC protocols (to insure all partners using
identical methods), have experience with species keys, shellfish and associated terminology.
Background: SCCF (http://www.sccf.org/) is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of
natural resources and wildlife habitat on and around Sanibel and Captiva islands. SCCF has also had a longtime involvement in water quality issues and operates a marine laboratory
http://www.sccf.org/content/72/Marine-Laboratory.aspx on Sanibel. The laboratory currently has ten fulltime staff members, four are at the Ph.D. level. Research conducted at the lab currently focuses on habitat
functioning and restoration, water quality, microbial ecology, nutrient recycling, remote sensing, GIS, and
spatio-temporal modeling (see http://www.sccf.org/content/84/Research.aspx). A major program at the lab is
its River, Estuary and Coastal Observation Network (‘RECON'), composed of seven real-time state of the art
sensor arrays (see http://recon.sccf.org) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico over 90 miles.
Objectives and Duties: The individual's primary focus will be coordinating the southwest portion of a new
two-year, multi-institutional research project related to intertidal oyster reef populations. The primary grant
is supported through funding from the Florida Institute of Oceanography's BP research program related to
the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The other entities include FSU, FAU, FWRI, FGCU and The Citadel. Job
duties include: coordinating and performing sampling and research in southwest Florida, in conjunction with
parallel efforts in northwest Florida, Tampa Bay, Ten Thousand Islands to the Florida Keys. Efforts include
fabrication and setting-up of experiments and related oyster reef sampling (including oysters for disease,
genetics), and the identification and enumeration of associated organisms. They will also coordinate with
above institutions; assist with management of our data (analysis, visualization, statistics and related
reporting).
Education and Experience Requirements: The position requires a B.S. (with extensive experience) or an
M.S (qualifications above. The candidate will also assist with this and other lab projects (e.g., monitoring
marine habitats, collection of water quality data, and work with lab staff). Applications will be accepted
starting immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please send a detailed CV detailing your
educational background and experience, as well contact information for two references (required) ASAP to:
Dr. Loren D. Coen, Marine Laboratory Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, 900A
Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, Florida 33957; lcoen@sccf.org; Lab Office 239-395-4617
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