Working Title
Research Specialist
Dept/School
Center for Marine Science - 30600
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science (CMS) is recognized both nationally and internationally for conducting research that contributes to the understanding of environmental processes and problems. CMS strives to engage communities to address societal issues and promote use-inspired innovations.
Through research, education and outreach, the Center strives to increase knowledge about coastal and marine sciences and cultivate community engagement in coastal resilience. This includes a variety of fields such as physical oceanography; marine and coastal biology; marine, atmospheric and natural products chemistry; marine geology; aquaculture; environmental sciences, marine policy, human health, and sociology. Currently there are more than 100 active research programs supported by CMS and over 140 scientists, staff and students broadly associated with the unit. The teaching and research facility located on the Intracoastal Waterway in southeastern North Carolina features state of the art core facilities in spectrometry and spectroscopy, light stable isotopes, biotechnology, aquaculture, DNA and water quality analysis as well as running seawater systems, a coastal workboat fleet and a wide range of oceanographic equipment that are available to all CMS researchers. CMS supports educational programs related to marine science, including the Applied Coastal and Ocean Science Ph.D. program and MS Marine Science degree as well as courses and students from various marine-science related academic departments across the breadth of UNCW. It also supports several outreach entities, including NC Sea Grant, the NC National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Marine Quest, among others.
The UNCW’s Algal Resources Collection (www.algalresourcescollection.com) specializes in the maintenance and large-scale cultivation of harmful algal species and microalgae of biotechnological interest. The UNCW-ARC currently hosts over 600 microalgal strains, distributed across eight algal taxonomic groups, available to the research community. Thanks to its infrastructure and expertise in managing challenging-to-grow microalgae, the UNCW-ARC occupies an impactful niche (primarily related to customized, large-scale microalgal cultivation).
College
Center for Marine Science - 306 College
College/School Information
University Information
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.
A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.
The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.
Location of Workplace
CMS Myrtle Grove
Brief Summary of Work for this Position
The Algal Resources Collection (ARC) hosted at the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking a highly motivated and independent research specialist with expertise in microbiological or cell culturing techniques. The Research Specialist will be responsible for conducting multifactorial microalgae growth experiments and overseeing technicians.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop research plans
- Read literature relating to procedures
- Modify and adapting procedures to suit project objectives
- Conduct multifactorial microalgae culturing experiments
- Record, analyze and interpretation of data
- Training and supervision of technicians and students
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions
Preferred education, professional skills and experience
- Master’s degree in biology or a related field
- At least 1 year of demonstrable experience in microbiological or cell culturing techniques (i.e., sterilization of culturing materials, media preparation, use of autoclave and flow hoods, inoculation of cultures)
- Demonstrated experience in conducting experiments
- High organizational skills
- Ability to work independently in an exciting, high-paced environment and possess a strong passion for (and commitment to) interdisciplinary research
- Experience in microalgae culturing and statistical analyses
Required Certifications or licensure
N/A
FTE
1.0 (40 hours per week)
Months Per Year
12 Months
Work Days
Monday - Friday
Work Hours
8:00AM- 5:00PM
Type of Position
Time-limited
Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited
08/31/2025
Job Posting Date
07/17/2023
Posting Close Date
08/08/2023
Number of Openings
Single Incumbent
Special Notes to Applicants
This position is time-limited with the possibility of continuation pending availability of funds and department need.
PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position. Failure to answer all required questions will cause the system to disqualify your application. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.
This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
EEO Statement
At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.
Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
External Link to Posting
https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/29251