Ocean Career: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Lab Research Technician

Ocean Career: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Lab Research Technician

A part-time lab research technician position is available to assist with a fish biology project at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The technician will be employed by the University of Connecticut and working for Dr. Dan Bolnick, who is based in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Connecticut. The position will be funded by a US National Science Foundation (NSF) Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease (EEID) grant to study the biology of a tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus, as it infects copepods, stickleback fish, and piscivorous birds.

Tasks:

The technician will assist in animal care, rearing stickleback fish at BMSC. They will be responsible for monitoring fish health, feeding, and cleaning. They will assist with record keeping. Towards the end of the project, the technician will assist with experimental measures of behavior and immunity of the lab-raised fish. The successful applicant will be required to complete the UPEI Experimental Fish certification.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must be organized and reliable and have the ability to carry out laboratory research and fish care protocols. Previous educational experience and work records should demonstrate a good work ethic, organizational ability, and interest in scientific research. The successful applicant must have an undergraduate degree (e.g., B.Sc. or B.A.) or a higher degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with animal care is valuable, especially care of fish or other aquatic organisms. An undergraduate degree in biology or a related field is strongly preferred. A graduate degree (e.g., a Master’s degree) would be valuable.

Duration:

Salary depends on experience but is expected to be between $15 - $25 per hour.