ENVS - Lab Specialist Intermediate

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks applications for a Lab Specialist Intermediate to support ecological research associated with the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research project (VCR LTER). The technician will join a dynamic team of students and researchers studying the population and community ecology of restored oyster reefs and seagrass meadows in Virginia's coastal bays. The technician will provide technical, logistical, and data support for new research initiatives and ongoing long-term science, and advance science education and outreach for elementary and middle-school students.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Performing lab work, such as identifying and enumerating fishes and invertebrates, evaluating methods and procedures; and maintaining and analyzing long-term datasets.
• Conducting field work, which may include boating, wading, and snorkeling in shallow estuarine environments; collecting fishes and invertebrates; and establishing and maintaining field experiments.
• Providing technical and logistical support for lab and field research activities.
• Training and supervising undergraduate students in research (5-15 per semester).
• Supporting scientific education and outreach activities, including developing and delivering learning activities for students.
• Inventorying and ordering lab supplies, and assisting with tracking award spending and budgets.

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Qualified candidates must have:

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: 6 years of experience in a lab technician role. Master's degree may substitute for required experience. 9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing, squatting, or kneeling while conducting research. The position requires keyboarding and bench work, requiring fine finger manipulation. Field research may involve physically strenuous activities such as traversing deep water and muddy environments, working in inclement weather, carrying heavy objects, and operating hand and power tools.

The Lab Specialist Intermediate will report to Max Castorani, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• The ability to work independently and proactively, and manage many concurrent tasks.

• Problem-solving skills and creativity in supporting scientific technology and field logistics.

• Experience in training and/or supervising field and lab work.

• Familiarity with scientific protocols and best practices for responsible handling of ecological samples and data.

• Experience in the taxonomy of marine invertebrates and prior use of taxonomic keys or identification guides, or a willingness to develop these skills.

• Basic coding or programming skills in R for data management and analysis, and experience managing and manipulating large or long-term datasets.

• Experience working around water and boats in coastal settings, or a willingness to gain this experience.

• Experience in public outreach, communication, or K-12 education, or a willingness to gain this experience.

• The ability to work effectively with diverse communities.

For additional information about the position, please contact Max Castorani, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at cnc4a@virginia.edu.

The position is based in Charlottesville, VA, with occasional multiday overnight field trips to UVA's Coastal Research Center in Oyster, VA. Field station housing will be provided, and personal transportation costs to the field will be reimbursed.

The anticipated start date is negotiable, but may begin as soon as October 1, 2024. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. Anticipated Hiring Range: $50,000 commensurate with education and experience. This is an exempt level, benefited position.

For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

This full-time position will remain open until filled. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

To Apply:

Https://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/jobs

Please apply through Workday, and search for R0063284 . Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.' Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor at rkh6j@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://emarkcva.com/.
Position Compensation Range: $35,302.00 - $70,604.00 Annual

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: 6 years of experience in a lab technician role. Master's degree may substitute for required experience. 9 years of lab-related experience accepted in lieu of degree.

Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other bench work and animal procedures requiring finer finger manipulation.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.