Research Assistant I

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Primary Purpose:


Contributes to conducting ongoing research activities. Assists researchers in laboratories and fieldwork. Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory and field instruments and equipment, monitors experiments, makes observations, and calculates and records results.

Job Category: Non-Exempt


Hiring Range: $20.923076


Pay Basis: Hourly


Subject to Grant Funding? Yes


Essential Job Functions:


1. Assists in the development, design, and conducting research projects according to research plans.
2. Participates in formulating research methods and suggesting options for improving quality and recommending solutions.
3. Participates in data analysis and suggests future improvements in data management.
4. Oversees day to day lab operations. May supervise support personnel and/or manage budget.
5. As part of a team, and independently, leads and contributes to fieldwork with durations of 1 day to two plus weeks.
6. Is capable of, or willing to learn, how to drive a boat.
7. Evaluates experimental results using statistical and multivariate analysis.
8. Keeps detailed logs of all field- and lab-related activities.
9. Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
10. Sets up, adjusts, calibrates, cleans, maintains and troubleshoots laboratory and field equipment.
11. Acts as specialist on laboratory or other research methods and equipment functions.
12. May participate and/or lead publication of significant results.
13. May assist and/or lead writing extramural proposals.
14. Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures.
15. Advances expertise through education, training, and/or research experience.
16. Performs other duties as assigned or required.


Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge:
1. Marine Biology - Knowledge of marine animal and algal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
2. Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
3. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
4. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills:
1. Reading Comprehension - Proficient understanding of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
2. Active Listening - Proficient skills in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to under the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
3. Critical Thinking - Proficient skills in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Science - Proficient skills using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
5. Complex Problem Solving - Proficient skills in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
6. Active Learning - Proficient skills in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
7. Judgment and Decision Making - Proficient skills in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the appropriate one.
8. Speaking - Proficient skills in talking to others to convey information effectively.
9. Systems Analysis - Proficient skills in determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Abilities:
1. Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
2. Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
3. Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
4. Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
5. Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
6. Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
7. Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
8. Ability to safely and effectively handle small boats.

Physical Requirements:
1. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
2. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
3. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
4. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
5. Must be physically capable of handling dive and field equipment weighing up to 30 lbs
6. Must be physically able to spend significant time working underwater and with dive kit on
7. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.

Required Certifications/Licensures: 1. Must obtain a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card
2. Has, or is willing to obtain SCUBA certification.


Required Education: Bachelor of Science Degree


Major (if required: Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology


Required Experience: Up to one (1) year of experience in an academic or research environment. Or job-experience in a related field.


Preferred Qualifications:

Is this a safety sensitive position? No


Background Screening Required? No


Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.


NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.