OCEAN PLANKTON TECHNICIAN

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities, and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Air-Sea Interaction and Remote Sensing (AIRS) team at the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington is hiring – see yourself at APL!

The Applied Physics Laboratory is a research unit at the University of Washington. Our research expertise is in ocean physics and engineering, ocean and medical acoustics, polar science, environmental remote sensing, and signal processing. We conduct research and development that is sponsored by a variety of federal and state agencies and take great pride in our long-standing status as a US Navy-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Our work takes place not only on the University of Washington campus and medical centers, but in field locations around the world – at sea, in the air, and on polar ice caps. We apply rigorous scientific inquiry and engineering excellence in pursuit of solutions to important problems for the good of our region, nation, and world.

Diversity is a core value at the University of Washington and the Applied Physics Laboratory shares this commitment. We are focused on building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable research environment for all students, staff, and collaborators. We believe every member of our team enriches our community by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

We are recruiting for a full-time Ocean Plankton Technician to join the AIRS team.

The AIRS department investigators pursue research focused on a wide range of topics including air-sea exchange, coastal dynamics, waves, ocean color, and ocean circulation. Research tools in AIRS including in situ sensors, laboratory studies, and various airborne and satellite-based remote sensing measurements.

In partnership with the Washington Ocean Acidification Center (WOAC), the WOAC is a member organization of EarthLab   in the College of the Environment at the University of Washington (UW). The Washington Ocean Acidification Center was established in 2013 following the recommendation of the Washington State Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification . Although we are based in the University of Washington, we serve the entire state. Ocean acidification threatens our marine ecosystems and the people connected to them. WOAC aims to connect research decision-makers to advance ocean acidification science, strategies, and policies to restore the health of our oceans.

The Ocean Plankton Technician will provide scientific analysis and data management for oceanographic and biological research within the AIRS department and for the Washington Ocean Acidification Center. The Center produces large data sets to understand the spatial and temporal variation in key oceanographic variables, with the goal of elucidating drivers of change, such as the extent of ocean acidification, the role of local processes such as respiration, and the general suitability of local waters for shellfish growing.

This position will contribute to project goals by supporting plankton (primarily phytoplankton) sampling and analysis. This includes fieldwork on research cruises to collect and preserve plankton, identification, and enumeration of cells in the lab, and processing and analyzing data. While on the cruises, assist with other sampling and analysis, such as oxygen, chlorophyll, and CTD sampling. Other tasks require assisting with cruise preparation, staging, and unloading.

This position will perform assigned tasks requiring the application of scientific and standard computer applications. This includes phytoplankton analysis and identification, enumeration and processing of cell count data as well as assisting with oxygen and chlorophyll analyses and basic analytical processes with the ability to recognize and flag issues that may arise, working with others to provide solutions. In addition, this position will provide assistance with the use of the automated imaging flow cytometer data collection and analysis, including instrument monitoring during ship-board deployment, and identification of plankton images retrieved by the instrument. This position will also observe equipment in the field and exercise the applicable methods.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Fieldwork and Cruises:
*Conducts at-sea technician support activities, in alignment with research and project deliverables.
*Serve as the lead for phytoplankton sampling and preservation on the cruises.
*Implements standard operating procedures, and consults supervisor when issues arise.
*Follows field safety protocols and ensures the safe operation of all equipment.

Laboratory Analyses:
*Works with APL and Oceanography PIs to learn phytoplankton counting and enumeration skills that WOAC has been using.
*Analyses water samples for phytoplankton identification and enumeration.
*Works with PIs on the implementation of new technologies for plankton sampling, including automated imaging flow cytometry.

Data Processing and Archiving:
*Inputs phytoplankton data to an existing database, performs QA/QC checks, and back-ups data in alternate locations.
*Provides calculations for oceanographic analyses conducted on WOAC cruises.
*Assures that data go to project PIs for use and to data managers for archival.
*Assists with retrieval and organization of phytoplankton datasets throughout the Puget Sound

Reporting and Documenting:
*Updates and maintains documentation and any changes to procedures.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Ocean Sciences or a related field and one year of relevant experience, OR Equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Excellent technical writing and oral communication skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as collaboratively.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/ registration.

Desired:
• Master’s degree in Ocean Sciences or a related field.
• Experience collaborating on research projects with multiple partners.
• Prior experience in a research program at an academic institution.

Application Process:The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.