Research Assistant-Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Project

Bethune-Cookman University

Job Title: Research Assistant - Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Project

Reporting Structure: Principal Investigator/CEL Program Director, Title III Director, Provost

Division: Academic Affairs

Job Summary: The Research Assistant will support implementation of the Florida Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Consortium's Coordinated Network Experiment (CNE) within mesocosm systems at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach and in situ Indian River Lagoon (IRL) field sites. This position is responsible for coordinating field and laboratory sampling, maintaining mesocosm systems, managing environmental and biological datasets, and supporting deep-learning modeling workflows in collaboration with project investigators. The Research Assistant will also mentor undergraduate research interns and contribute to outreach, dissemination, and reporting activities associated with the Florida Sea Grant project

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Research & Field Operations
• Assist with setup, maintenance, and monitoring of mesocosm systems at the Marine Discovery Center.
• Conduct routine field and laboratory sampling for water quality, sediment, seagrass, and bivalve metrics.
• Perform measurements including salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, nutrients, total suspended solids, and light availability.
• Support clam growth, survival, and condition assessments; seagrass biomass and foliar nutrient analyses; and sediment characterization.
• Maintain calibration logs and quality assurance protocols for YSI sondes, PAR sensors, and conductivity loggers.
• Data Management & Analysis
• Enter, clean, organize, and manage multivariate environmental datasets.
• Generate time-series plots and summary visualizations using Python and/or R.
• Support development of deep learning models (DNN, GRU, LSTM) in collaboration with Co-PIs.
• Assist with data preprocessing, feature engineering, model evaluation, and documentation.
• Student Mentoring & Experiential Learning
• Supervise and train undergraduate research interns in field methods, laboratory procedures, and data management.
• Support experiential learning activities coordinated through the Center for Collaborative Experiential Learning (CEL).
• Guide students in research communication, poster preparation, and data visualization.
• Reporting, Outreach & Collaboration
• Contribute to project reports, presentations, and publications.
• Assist with dissemination activities including MDC public education displays and guided tours.
• Participate in consortium meetings and cross-institutional coordination with UF and MDC partners.
• Support presentations at professional conferences and community outreach events.
• Maintain organized project records, supplies, and sampling schedules.
• Assist PI with documentation for deliverables and timelines.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong background in aquatic ecology, environmental monitoring, or restoration science
• Experience with field sampling and laboratory analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Python and/or R preferred
• Ability to manage complex datasets and produce visual summaries
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation skills
• Ability to mentor undergraduate students in research environments
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across institutions
• Comfort working outdoors in variable environmental conditions
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, or closely related field

Preferred Skills, Experience and Education:

• Experience with estuarine or coastal systems
• Familiarity with seagrass, bivalve ecology, or restoration science
• Experience with environmental sensors (YSI, PAR, conductivity loggers)
• Prior involvement in research projects integrating field data with computational analysis

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform duties in both office and laboratory/field environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move between work locations as needed.
• Ability to use hands for computer work and routine laboratory tasks.
• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Sufficient visual and auditory acuity to perform job duties safely and effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments and tolerate exposure to varying environmental conditions consistent with field and laboratory activities.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, retaliation, marital status, religion or disability, or any other applicable local, state or federal regulation. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities, equal employment opportunity and Title IX matters should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 386-481-2049.

The university reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time in its'' attempts to improve the operations of the university