Overview:The Smithsonian Institution seeks an energetic, data- and field-oriented biologist to support the collation, curation and archival of published and unpublished coastal wetlands’ soil properties datasets as well as the collection of environmental samples in coastal wetlands across the USA including its territories. The position is based in SERC’s Coastal Landscape Ecology Lab, led by Dr. Andre Rovai, and is based in Edgewater, MD. It is a one-year renewable position with two years of funding anticipated. This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package and requires occasional travel.

The Biological Science Technician will be part of the Coastal Carbon Network (CCN) and will have as primary duties collating, curating and archiving published and unpublished datasets on coastal wetlands’ soil properties and maintaining the Coastal Carbon Atlas (CCA). In addition, as secondary duties, the Biological Science Technician will contribute to field research and data analysis for studies on coastal wetlands soil organic matter composition and fluxes, and changes in soil surface elevation in responses to changes in flooding and salinity levels across (but not limited to) multiple sites in Chesapeake Bay and Florida. Additional opportunities involve engaging and collaborating with other SERC affiliated labs and projects such as the Global Change Research Wetland (GCREW), an open skies natural observatory dedicated to unraveling the complex ecological processes that confer stability on coastal marshes as they respond to global environmental change.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in Biology, Ecology, Marine Science, or related field. Competent data entry and carpentry skills are required preferably using R statistical computing environment. Demonstrated experience in coastal wetlands research is required (experience with soil sampling and sample processing for organicmatter, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus determination). The applicant must be detail-oriented, responsible, and prepared to work in challenging field conditions (working on boats and within wetlands, hot and cold days, handling sample collections and instrument deployment/maintenance/use in the field). Practical knowledge of field research procedures in ecology of coastal wetlands, including delimitation of transects and plots for determination of wetlands vegetation biomass and traits as well as sampling of soil profiles.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact WattC@si.edu or CoyleB@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeo.