Technical Associate -Biology

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Technical Associate                                     

DIVISION: Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT:  Estuarine & Ocean Sciences and Biology

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS:  ESU                      

WORKING TITLE: Research Technician

FLSA STATUS: ??Exempt

REPORTS TO: Prof. Pia Moisander, Biology and Estuarine and Ocean Sciences

 SUPERVISES:  N/A

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The primary responsibility of the Technical Associate is to be responsible for a field deployment of several oceanographic instruments at the university pier at the UMassD School of Marine Science and Technology. The Technical Associate will assist faculty and staff in developing the mooring deployment and a data pipeline (data logging and distribution) from oceanographic sensors, and will be responsible for instrument programming, calibrations, instrument maintenance, maintaining data backups, and conducting data post-processing. After training the Technical Associate is responsible for working independently to maintain the instrumentation deployment at the pier. Some local travel is required for training. The position is based both on main campus and at SMAST.

The initial appointment is for one year, with re-appointment contingent on funding and positive evaluation.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Primary Research Responsibilities:

• Program and read out data from water quality sensors
• Program and adjust settings in a data logger
• Maintain and calibrate oceanographic instruments at the pier and in the laboratory at required intervals
• Test and validate instruments by secondary data sources
• Post-process collected data, to apply quality control and assurance
• Maintain computer server for data sharing
• Maintain data backups
• Contribute to initial design and construction of mooring and data management pipeline
• Contribute to development of Standard Operating Procedures

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Communicate with technical support of instrument vendors
• Contribute to developing a public-facing web portal
• Contribute to preparation of reports and grant proposals
• Contribute to sample analysis in the lab
• Contribute to training students
• Participate in other field work for instrument testing

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Baccalaureate degree in a relevant field (Marine Science, Engineering, Computer science)

EXPERIENCE: Hands on experience in an area related to the research activity

OTHER: Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization for full time employment in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Marine Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or other applicable field
• Computer programming experience (e.g. BASIC, Python, R, Matlab)
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of mechanics, electromechanics and/or electronics.
• Field experience or any research experience
• Experience working with oceanographic instruments
• Knowledge of calibration and/or adjustment techniques as applied to research equipment and instrumentation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Strong communications skills and organizational ability
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain, calibrate, operate and perform basic repair tasks on research equipment
• Ability to practice and promote safe, clean and secure laboratory and field practice
• Ability to lift 30 pounds

NOTE: Other job related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organization needs.

SALARY: $45,000 - $48,000

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• And More!

Benefits for Faculty Federation - Librarians/Technicians 

To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current CV and the contact information for three professional references.

The review of internal and external applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.