Salt Marsh Research Assistant | Woods Hole Research Center

Summer Research Field Assistant
TIDE Project – Job#LDSFA18

SUMMARY: Woods Hole Research Center seeks applicants for one or two full-
time summer field assistant positions on the TIDE project, a long-term
salt marsh fertilization experiment to study how marshes will recover from
sustained nitrogen loading. This project assesses many key components of a
marsh ecosystem such as nutrient biogeochemical cycling, plant dynamics,
and food web interactions. The successful applicant will work as part of a
large multi-disciplinary team consisting of PIs, postdocs, graduate
students and other research assistants to gain broad experience through
field and laboratory work across interdisciplinary fields including
biology, chemistry, and physical oceanography.

Responsibilities:
Participate in field and laboratory measurements of chemistry and biology.
Process and analyze project data.
Coordinate sampling schedule for the summer, accommodating needs of
principal investigators, students, and others.
Occasionally sample at irregular hours (early mornings, late nights, and
weekends) as needed.
Frequent contact with the public, students, and visiting scientists will
be required.
Maintain boats, trucks, field, and lab equipment (water level loggers,
YSI’s, etc.).

Qualifications and Experience:
Must have relevant coursework in Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, or Marine
Biology.
At least one-year field experience in a related field.
Must be familiar with the techniques and instrumentation used to quantify
saltmarsh ecology.
Requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, the ability to
work as a member of a team, and the ability to communicate positively with
the public.
Experience with data logger programming, environmental sensors YSI, ADCPs,
SIGMA auto samplers to estimate ecosystem processes is highly desirable.
Must possess a valid driver license and qualify to drive WHRC vehicles.
Successful candidate will work at the field site in Plum Island Sound
(Rowley, MA) from June through August.

Preferred Qualifications:
B.A. in Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, or Marine Biology preferred.
Ability to operate small boats or willingness to take safety course to
become certified.
Demonstrated skills in data organization, analysis, and report writing
preferred.

Physical requirements:
Must be in good health, capable of rigorous outdoor activity (lifting
approx. 50 pounds, bending, carrying heavy equipment, and walking through
waist-high marine waters and marsh.)
Willing to endure occasional exposure to insects, ticks and poison ivy.
Expected to live in the field station house in Rowley, MA.

Appointment: This temporary summer research field assistant position is
for 40 hours per week over a three month period.

Field Season: June 1, 2018 – August 31, 2018.

Compensation: $14 per hour.

Desired Start Date: June 1, 2018.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a cover letter referencing
“Summer Field Assistant LDSFA18”, along with a resume/curriculum vitae,
and contact information for three references to jobopenings@whrc.org.
Please type “LDSFA18” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2018, or until filled.

The Woods Hole Research Center is an independent, nonprofit institute
focused on environmental science, education, and public policy. The WHRC
focuses on combining analysis of satellite images of the Earth with field
studies and computer models to better understand changes in the world’s
ecosystems, from the thawing permafrost in the Arctic to the expanding
agriculture regions of the tropics. We are an equal opportunity employer.