This position is located at St. Croix Watershed Research Station, located in the city of Marine on St. Croix, MN – 30 miles north of the Twin Cities.

The SCWRS Environmental Research Fellow is an opportunity for recent post-secondary graduates to gain experiential training in field and laboratory methods in the environmental sciences.

The primary function of this role is assisting research staff with regular field and laboratory duties. The Research Fellow will also design and complete an individual research project related to ongoing studies at SCWRS. The goal in doing so is for the Fellow to gain valuable laboratory and field skills and develop a better understanding of the collection, analysis, and interpretation of chemical and biological data. This person will also be exposed to large-scale field research and become familiar with how research ideas are translated into experimental design and transferred to the scientific community and general public.

This is fixed-term, one-year fellowship.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists research staff in the field collection of water and sediment core samples (including travel, which may require overnight stays)
• Assists laboratory staff in general operation of laboratory by following standard operating procedures (SOPs) to perform basic laboratory analyses using a variety of instruments (analytical balance, discrete analyzer, carbon analyzer, water sample filtration system, muffle furnace, etc.)
• Records and maintains metadata and analytical results, following internal protocols on reporting and deadlines
• Develops an independent research project with guidance from laboratory manager and staff scientists which includes collection, analysis, and interpretation of environmental data
• Assists laboratory staff in other day-to-day tasks, including organizing sample storage and data flow, cleaning labware, and assisting scientists in field preparation
• Ability to work both independently and on a team
• Assist in training interns on routine field and laboratory tasks
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Competencies

• Communication: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others and ensures that information is shared with others who should be informed.
• Collaboration: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
• Customer Service: Demonstrates an understanding of the SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.
• Fostering an Inclusive Community: Contributes to a museum environment, and people, that reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community (internal and external).
• Results Orientation: Focuses on providing a best in class visitor experience through work outcomes by meeting personal and organizational work objectives.

Qualifications

Education:

• BA/BS in the biological or physical sciences or related field, equivalent professional training will be considered

Experience:

• Demonstrated strong attention to detail.
• Basic math skills (ability to quickly and accurately perform dilution and concentration calculations).
• Competency in standard office software, especially spreadsheet software.
• Experience with field collection of aquatic samples is preferred.

Work Environment

Open lab environment requiring ability to stand for long periods, to work at lab bench heights, plus standard office setting. Field settings require physical strength and stamina to conduct field sampling in difficult terrain and under adverse weather conditions. Some field sampling is conducted on board boats.

The pay for this position is $19.50 per hour (USD).

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)