Research Assistant I

Michigan State University(MSU) • East Lansing, MI • 2h ago

Position Summary

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Michigan State University invites applications for a Research Assistant position supporting biological community restoration programs in the Great Lakes basin. The position involves collaborative research with MSU faculty and scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center (USGS-GLSC), integrating expertise in physical and biological sciences to assess environmental stressors such as nuisance benthic algae and invasive species.

The primary focus of this work is to support native species restoration efforts (including fish and freshwater mussels) and to better understand and manage nuisance benthic algae, including Cladophora spp., in nearshore Great Lakes ecosystems.

Although administratively housed within CEE at Michigan State University, this position is physically located at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center in Indiana. The successful candidate will conduct field and laboratory research in close collaboration with MSU and USGS scientists.

Project objectives include examining drivers and impacts of nuisance benthic algae, improving assessment of fish communities using DNA-based technologies, supporting native mussel propagation and reintroduction efforts in collaboration with the National Park Service (including Indiana Dunes National Park), and evaluating microbial roles in ecological processes and ecosystem services.

Key Responsibilities

This position supports the coordination and execution of laboratory and field operations, including experimental planning, data collection, and analysis. The successful candidate will be based at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center's Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station. Responsibilities include:

Plan and coordinate field studies and serve as the primary contact for project data management

Develop job aids for field and laboratory activities; train student interns on laboratory safety, sample handling, and storage; and serve as lab manager

Maintain laboratory inventories; coordinate supply ordering; and track equipment performance, maintenance, and calibration in accordance with USGS Quality Management System (QMS) and QA/QC requirements

Support collaborative native species restoration projects, including laboratory propagation of native mussel larvae for reintroduction efforts led by USGS and NPS

Analyze datasets (e.g., eDNA, microbiome) using statistical software and bioinformatic tools

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in biology, ecology, or microbiology with classes in aquatic sciences, chemistry, or other related science fields; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in standard laboratory procedures and safety requirements and performing analytical and research techniques in nearshore aquatic ecology, molecular biology including environmental DNA, microbiome; ability to work in Biosafety level 2 labs; willingness to participate in a aariety of safety training programs mandated as required by MSU and the agency; experience with statistical analysis software, e.g. SPSS, SYSTAT, and tools in bioinformatics; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Five years of progressively responsible experience conducting laboratory analyses of environmental samples (e.g., algae, water, sediment, fish tissue) using DNA-based methods to assess biotic communities. Demonstrated experience coordinating field teams, supporting laboratory inventory and equipment maintenan

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