The Prince William Sound Science Center, a non-profit research and education institution located on the shores of Prince William Sound in Cordova, Alaska, is seeking to hire a laboratory/field lab technician to support ongoing oceanographic monitoring and process studies in Prince William Sound.
Duties: Assist in the collection, processing and analysis of oceanographic samples collected at several stations in Prince William Sound, including taxonomic analysis of net zooplankton, fluorimetric analysis of chlorophyll-a, and colorimetric analysis of nutrient samples.
Background: Prince William Sound (PWS) is located in the northeast corner of the Pacific at 60° N and includes an intricate network of maritime glaciers, rain forests, offshore islands, barrier islands, wetlands, and freshwater and marine systems. PWS has 4900 km of shoreline, is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, and contains the most extensive system of tidewater glaciers in North America. Most of the land area is in or adjacent to the Chugach National Forest. Of the five PWS communities, only Valdez and Whittier have highway access to the main road system; access to Cordova is by boat or plane. The community is served regularly by Alaska Marine Highway System ferries and an airport that receives daily commercial airline traffic. Commercial salmon fisheries are the cornerstone of the local economy.
As part of the Gulf Watch Alaska program, the Science Center has conducted oceanographic monitoring programs in Prince William Sound since 2009. The project includes regular vessel surveys throughout the Sound, and the annual deployment of an instrumented autonomous profiling mooring. Several hydrographic, biogeochemical, and biological parameters are measured.
Qualifications & Responsibilities
The technician will prepare for and participate in several vessel sorties per year (~6 2-3 day surveys and occasional day trips) aboard the Science Center research vessel, and participate in the collection of water, particulate, and biogeochemical samples. The technician will be responsible for the taxonomic analysis of zooplankton samples (via microscopy), analysis of chlorophyll-a concentrations (Turner Designs TD-700 fluorometer), and the measurement of macronutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate) with a Seal Analytical AA3 autoanalyzer. The technician will also be responsible for QA/QC of the resulting data.
Candidates should be capable of working and living in remote locations under physically challenging conditions including cold, rain, wind, and variable sea states. Applicants must be able to occasionally lift 60 lbs and be comfortable maneuvering equipment on deck. Training will be available, but prior experience with zooplankton taxonomy, fluorometery and/or color chemistry will be an asset.
Applicant must be authorized to work in the United States for any U.S. employer.
Salary and benefits: Salary is dependent on experience and is competitive with state and federal technician salary scales. A benefits package including medical, dental, 403b retirement plan, unemployment insurance, and workers compensation are included.
Application Process: To be considered, please submit a résumé and the names of three references with their contact information via email to Rob Campbell, Prince William Sound Science Center, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Review of applications will begin January 8, 2022. Position is open until filled. PWSSC does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, or mental or physical disability.
