Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

International Ocean Discovery Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)  is an international research collaboration that coordinates seagoing expeditions  to study the history of the Earth recorded in sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) operates the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution  on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of the scientific ocean drilling community by maximizing the science the JOIDES Resolution delivers.

What we want

The Research Associate is accountable for carrying out duties in support of the Technical & Analytical Services Department of the International Ocean Discovery Program. Under the direction of the supervisor (on shore) and the Laboratory Officer (LO) and Assistant Laboratory Officer (ALO) (onboard), provides basic technical support in the shipboard core laboratory and assists in other laboratories as assigned. This position provides technical support in the core laboratory and/or their assigned laboratory.

This position is required to sail. Seagoing employees must pass a new employee physical exam and annual physical exams. Employees will be working in the shipboard laboratories as well as outside on the deck. Could require working in extreme environments and under conditions of ship motion and vibration. This is a physically demanding position that requires moving cores and other heavy items (up to 60 lbs.) on a moving ship and working in an environment with exposure to noise, dust, and potential allergens. Employee shifts at sea are on a 12 hour a day, 7 days a week basis for approximately two months for an expedition.

The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) as stated above. If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years in a relevant field or Master’s degree is equivalent to two years of experience

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Working knowledge of standard computer and software applications
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as both oral and written communication skills
• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to successfully organize tasks, multi-task, and prioritize work
• Demonstrated ability to work professionally, harmoniously, and cooperatively with others
• Be able to work independently

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Obtain and hold a passport and appropriate visas on a continuing basis.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Graduate degree in science or a relevant field
• Prior seagoing experience
• ODP experience is highly preferred

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic familiarity with laboratory techniques and laboratory safety
• Background in the geological and/or oceanographic sciences
• Knowledge and use of databases, scientific software, and/or computer-aided design
• Knowledge and experience in working with tools (i.e., good mechanical and/or electronics skills)
• Experience in design, construction, installation, or operation of scientific equipment and laboratory instrumentation

​

Responsibilities:

• Shipboard Core Lab - Under the direction of a more senior staff member, process and handle cores and take samples as they are received on the core platform. Label and scribe cores and enter the scientific date into the IODP database. Split, box, move and store cores. Keep core lab and/or assigned lab clean. Practice and promote safety in core handling.
• Shore Based - Provide shore-based support for seagoing expeditions. Provide support for shore-based labs. Participate in project teams to develop new laboratory instrumentation. Participate in test groups for new software applications and hardware. Develop new laboratory documentation. Practice and promote safety in all activities.
• Shipboard Lab Support - Learn to calibrate, operate, maintain, and upgrade lab equipment and software for assigned lab/task. Control inventory and supplies for assigned lab. Process and handle scientific data for assigned lab/task. Cooperate and work closely with scientists to optimize science. Maintain and develop the lab manuals and other documentation. Follow and promote laboratory-specific safety practice. Communicate with shore-based support as necessary.
• Portcall - Coordinate with off-going Marine Lab Specialists to learn about any ongoing problems or deficiencies and check the overall status of the assigned lab/task. Attend cross over meetings. Offload and on load shipments from/to the ship. Unpack and distribute all items from oncoming shipments to respective labs and storerooms. Practice and promote safety during port call duties.
• General - Provide assistance and promote cooperation within and among the diverse international community. Be familiar with, comply with, and administer all IODP, TAMU, TAMRF, state, and federal policies that pertain to department. Provides other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University and TAMHSC, must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

International Ocean Discovery Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)  is an international research collaboration that coordinates seagoing expeditions  to study the history of the Earth recorded in sediments and rocks beneath the ocean floor. The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) operates the scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution  on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of the scientific ocean drilling community by maximizing the science the JOIDES Resolution delivers.

What we want

The Research Associate is accountable for carrying out duties in support of the Technical & Analytical Services Department of the International Ocean Discovery Program. Under the direction of the supervisor (on shore) and the Laboratory Officer (LO) and Assistant Laboratory Officer (ALO) (onboard), provides basic technical support in the shipboard core laboratory and assists in other laboratories as assigned. This position provides technical support in the core laboratory and/or their assigned laboratory.

This position is required to sail. Seagoing employees must pass a new employee physical exam and annual physical exams. Employees will be working in the shipboard laboratories as well as outside on the deck. Could require working in extreme environments and under conditions of ship motion and vibration. This is a physically demanding position that requires moving cores and other heavy items (up to 60 lbs.) on a moving ship and working in an environment with exposure to noise, dust, and potential allergens. Employee shifts at sea are on a 12 hour a day, 7 days a week basis for approximately two months for an expedition.

The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) as stated above. If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years in a relevant field or Master’s degree is equivalent to two years of experience

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Working knowledge of standard computer and software applications
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as both oral and written communication skills
• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to successfully organize tasks, multi-task, and prioritize work
• Demonstrated ability to work professionally, harmoniously, and cooperatively with others
• Be able to work independently

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Obtain and hold a passport and appropriate visas on a continuing basis.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Graduate degree in science or a relevant field
• Prior seagoing experience
• ODP experience is highly preferred

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic familiarity with laboratory techniques and laboratory safety
• Background in the geological and/or oceanographic sciences
• Knowledge and use of databases, scientific software, and/or computer-aided design
• Knowledge and experience in working with tools (i.e., good mechanical and/or electronics skills)
• Experience in design, construction, installation, or operation of scientific equipment and laboratory instrumentation

​

Responsibilities:

• Shipboard Core Lab - Under the direction of a more senior staff member, process and handle cores and take samples as they are received on the core platform. Label and scribe cores and enter the scientific date into the IODP database. Split, box, move and store cores. Keep core lab and/or assigned lab clean. Practice and promote safety in core handling.
• Shore Based - Provide shore-based support for seagoing expeditions. Provide support for shore-based labs. Participate in project teams to develop new laboratory instrumentation. Participate in test groups for new software applications and hardware. Develop new laboratory documentation. Practice and promote safety in all activities.
• Shipboard Lab Support - Learn to calibrate, operate, maintain, and upgrade lab equipment and software for assigned lab/task. Control inventory and supplies for assigned lab. Process and handle scientific data for assigned lab/task. Cooperate and work closely with scientists to optimize science. Maintain and develop the lab manuals and other documentation. Follow and promote laboratory-specific safety practice. Communicate with shore-based support as necessary.
• Portcall - Coordinate with off-going Marine Lab Specialists to learn about any ongoing problems or deficiencies and check the overall status of the assigned lab/task. Attend cross over meetings. Offload and on load shipments from/to the ship. Unpack and distribute all items from oncoming shipments to respective labs and storerooms. Practice and promote safety during port call duties.
• General - Provide assistance and promote cooperation within and among the diverse international community. Be familiar with, comply with, and administer all IODP, TAMU, TAMRF, state, and federal policies that pertain to department. Provides other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University and TAMHSC, must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.