Job Details:
A Laboratory Research Assistant position is available to work with Dr. Kelly Dorgan at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX, starting in winter/spring 2025 (negotiable). Research in the lab integrates ecology, biomechanics (including engineering theory and methods), and invertebrate behavior, morphology and physiology with engineering theory and methods, including development of new instrumentation.
This position is intended for a research graduate looking to gain research experience before graduate school and will be a combination of conducting independent research and helping to set up and manage the lab and help with field and lab work. Potential projects include laboratory experiments to observe and quantify behaviors of burrowing animals and impacts on sediments, using acoustics to characterize sediment properties and the impacts on infauna on sediments.
Responsibilities
· Experimental design, troubleshooting, and data analysis
· Infauna sample sorting (under a microscope)
· Field work to collect infauna and sediments
· Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
· High School Diploma or equivalent
· Previous research experience in a relevant field
· Programming experience or willingness to learn programming
Preferred Qualifications
· BS in a relevant field (marine science, biology, geosciences, or other)
· Experience with invertebrates and use of microscopes
· Experience with field work
· Experience with Matlab, R, Arduino, ImageJ
Salary Range
$31,200 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
· May work in all weather conditions
· May work in remote marine or estuarine field sites, under especially hot conditions
· May work around standard office conditions
· May work around chemicals
· May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
Required Materials
· Resume/CV
· Letter of interest
· Contact information for 3 work references; at least one reference should be from a former or current supervisor
