Title: Research Assistant (Water Quality Analysis)
Duty Station: Raleigh, NC
Approximate Start Date: March 2022
Hours per week: Flexible, 16-40 hours a week
Duration: 6-12 months initially, with possibility of extension
Position description: We are offering a research assistant position to assist with a water quality data analysis project. The objective of the project is to characterize spatial and temporal patterns of freshwater salinization in stream ecosystems. The primary task for the research assistant is to help process data from publicly available resources (e.g., NWIS, Water Quality Portal) and conduct data analyses, such as linear regression or cluster analysis. The research assistant will also serve as co-author on a publication of the results. The research assistant will help with the following activities: (1) use and/or develop R scripts to process and analyze data; (2) develop figures and tables to summarize the analysis; and (3) communicate results (verbal and written). The student will be mentored by a hydrologist and geochemist.
Work setting: Office only (no fieldwork). Due to current COVID restrictions, all work activities are expected to be performed remotely using Microsoft Teams for communication, collaboration, and file sharing (MS Teams is included on a provided laptop). The research assistant must have reliable access to the internet. As COVID restrictions ease, there may be increased opportunity for in-person meetings/working hours at the Raleigh, NC office (3916 Sunset Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607). Work hours can flex around school breaks.
Required skills and expertise: To qualify for this position, you must be at least 18 years of age, eligible to work in the U.S., and enrolled in good standing or a recent graduate (<1 yr ago) in an accredited College or University. Skills specific to this position include 1) proficiency in processing and manipulating datasets in R; demonstrated experience applying best coding practices for reproducibility is a plus; (2) basic background in statistics (e.g., linear regression); experience with multivariate statistics is preferred but not required; and (3) background and interest in hydrology, water quality, environmental science, forestry, geology, or stream ecology. Pay will be commensurate with education and experience; see attached Compensation Table.
Why work for the SAWSC Student Corp program? The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) offers part-time and full-time paid positions in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to current students and recent graduates. These positions are ideally suited for talented individuals seeking hands on experience in environmental science, hydrology, physical science, and biological sciences. SAWSC Student Corps provides valuable experience working with federal agencies on relevant water science research. If you are interested in research and building your technical skills as part of a team of expert scientists focused on water resources, then we want you to be part of the SAWSC Student Corps!
Compensation:
Compensation is commensurate with the level of education and experience.
BA/BS Degree (Recent Graduate): $18.19/hr
BA/BS Degree + 1 year Graduate School: $22.53/hr
MA/MS: $33.35/hr
PhD: $39.97/hr
To apply for this position, please send the following information to Rosemary Fanelli via email
(rfanelli@usgs.gov) with the following subject line: Application – Student Research Opportunity. A single
attachment is preferred. Deadline to apply is January 14, 2022.
1. A brief statement (less than 1 page) explaining your interest in the position,
2. An updated resume including any relevant skills or work experience,
3. Unofficial transcripts,
4. Name, contact information, and relationship for at least 2 professional references
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Virtual interviews will be scheduled with all qualified applicants and selections will be made shortly thereafter. For questions, contact
Rosemary Fanelli (rfanelli@usgs.gov).
For more information about the SAWSC Student
Corps program, visit:
https://www2.usgs.gov/water/southatlantic/jobs/index.php
You can also access more info using this code:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/sa-water .