RESEARCH TECHNICIAN

LUMCON, a program of the Board of Regents, as a consortium is a statewide academic endeavor to focus and strengthen the effectiveness of foundational marine science needed to address the environmental and socioeconomic challenges facing Louisiana and the nation.

LUMCON has provided unparalleled opportunities in marine science and education to the research community and public alike. Anchored by a first-rate marine laboratory, the DeFelice Marine Center, LUMCON is embedded in Louisiana’s dynamic wetland environment and conveniently located on a gateway to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. From this facility, LUMCON operates a world-class fleet of research vessels unmatched in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2023, LUMCON is expanding its programs through the opening of a maritime research and outreach facility in Houma

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Roberts Lab of Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry (lumcon.edu/broberts and https://robertsresearchlab.weebly.com) at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is seeking multiple research technicians to join our interdisciplinary research team in support of projects supported by multiple grants from NSF, BOEM, NASA, and NOAA. We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic, and organized individuals to participate in field and laboratory work studying coastal wetlands, estuaries, and/or coastal shelf ecosystems. The technician will work closely with other members of the Roberts Lab and collaborators at LUMCON (Dr. Marshall Bowles (https://www.bowleslab.com/) and other institutions throughout the country. Current projects in the Roberts lab include two new NSF projects: one examining methane efflux from river influenced marine sediments and a second examining methane dynamics across microbe-to-landscape scales in coastal wetlands; a large scale marsh mesocosm oiling experiment. Other projects include a large scale marsh mesocosm oiling experiment, and long-term studies on coastal wetland carbon (CH4 and CO2 fluxes), nutrient exchanges, microbial ecology, and vegetation dynamics; the relationship of human disturbance to ecosystem services (focus on sediment biogeochemistry and primary production) in offshore sand shoal habitats; wetland food webs in natural and created marshes influenced by river diversions; living shoreline restorations; and wetland and coastal estuarine biogeochemistry.  
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. in biogeochemistry, coastal / marine science, microbial ecology, oceanography, or a related field.
• The position requires high organizational and communication skills as well as significant database management capabilities.
• Ability to work in group setting as you will work collaboratively with PIs, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, and other research technicians on various projects.

IDEAL CANDIDATE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with field and laboratory analytical instrumentation including nutrient analyzers, spectrophotometers, TOC/TN analyzers, elemental analyzers, and/or gas chromatographs.
• Experience with measurements of the carbon, iron, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited the following:

• Participates in field and laboratory work in wetland, estuarine, and/or coastal marine ecosystems.
• Contributes to lab database management.
• Works collaboratively with other lab members and outside collaborators.

 
HOW TO APPLY:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.  
 
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.  
VACANCY INFORMATION:
This is an unclassified position.
 
The positions are available immediately. The initial appointment is for 1 year with possible additional support dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.
 
The positions will be based at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) Marine Center in Cocodrie, LA (visit http://www.lumcon.edu for information on the facility).
 
Applications will be rejected if the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications, submits an incomplete application, or fails to apply by the closing date of the announcement.
 
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application listing complete work experience and education.
 
Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript or any other materials as outlined in the posting to your application if possible.
 
In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form (I-9) upon hire.