Research Assistant – OPS Position - FWC (Saint Petersburg, FL)

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Posting Closing Date: 02/18/2025 

$22.50 per hour

Minimum Qualifications:

4 years’ professional experience in a closely related biological field, laboratory program, physical or natural sciences, or mathematics required. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major courses of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics can substitute for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with a degree in chemistry and/or experience with algal biotoxins, ELISA, HPLC, bioassay, and/or LC- MS techniques.

 

Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. 

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.  Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

  • Perform all phases of sample preparation for the detection of marine algal toxins in seafood, seawater, and other environmental matrices and analyses including sample extraction and clean-up, chemical buffer and reagent preparations for ELISA assays, HPLC and LC-MS/MS analyses.

  • Assist with sample preparation for regulatory bioassays.

  • Develop, implement, and maintain QA/QC guidelines as part of SOPs.

  • Assist with lab purchasing 

  • Responsible for: coordinating data collection, organization, and analyses required for successful completion of approved research

  • Reporting associated progress and milestones to supervisors, colleagues, and/or stakeholders.

  • Participate in preparing manuscripts and grant reports.

  • Facilitate effective and positive communication and teamwork across the team

  • Assist with event response and routine monitoring for HAB toxins.

  • Participate in other HAB Program and agency activities as requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of robust laboratory practices and skill in standard laboratory and data collection and analysis techniques; harmful algal bloom toxins; experimental design; and basic statistical approaches.

Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment; standard laboratory techniques; the use of MS Office applications such as Excel and Access; planning, organizing, and executing work tasks independently and as part of a team. Experience with ELISA, HPLC, bioassay, and/or LC- MS techniques is preferred.

Ability to communicate effectively and work well as part of a team; work independently; follow standard operating protocols (SOPs) and adhere to standard laboratory safety practices; troubleshoot and maintain quality control standards in the laboratory; use appropriate scientific methods and techniques; perform basic data analysis; contribute to manuscripts and scientific reports.