Nutrient Laboratory Coordinator (Research Associate)

Woodwell Climate Research Center is seeking a Nutrient Laboratory Coordinator (Research Associate) to lead water sample analyses for the Baywatchers Water Quality Monitoring Program in Falmouth, MA. Responsibilities include conducting laboratory analyses, data quality control, and collaborating with staff. The role requires experience in operating laboratory instruments for chemical analyses and involves supervising assistants. This position is not remote, as it is based on-site in Falmouth.
Mission

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

Summary

Join Woodwell’s Water team as a Research Associate, Nutrient Laboratory Coordinator to lead nutrient, carbon and other aqueous chemical analyses for a collaboration between Woodwell Climate and the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s (BBC) Baywatchers Water Quality Monitoring Program. The Baywatchers Program is one of the longest running and most successful coastal water quality monitoring programs in the U.S. It monitors more than 200 stations during July and August and has been operating since 1992. The Research Associate will collaborate with Woodwell Climate and BBC staff involved in the Baywatchers Program.

Responsibilities include but not limited:
• Conduct and oversee analyses of water samples collected from estuaries and rivers around Buzzards Bay and its watershed for chlorophyll and dissolved and particulate nutrients and carbon
• Prepare sampling supplies, lead laboratory analyses, perform data quality control and data curation
• Contribute to scientific analyses of the long-term Baywatchers data
• Work closely with other Woodwell and BBC staff involved in the Baywatchers Program.
• Prepare supplies for sampling (e.g., clean bottles) and sample processing (e.g., filtering apparatuses) and assist in distribution of sampling supplies
• Following standard operating procedures, conduct timely and robust laboratory analyses for nitrogen (NO3–, NO2–, NH4+, TDN), phosphate (SRP), carbon (DOC), and particulates (POC, PON, Chl-a, phaeophytin)
• Regularly communicate with the project QA Officer and participate in reviews of data.
• Compile data for final review and submission
• Assist in preparation of annual summary reports and presentations of laboratory activities and results for end-of-year QA with project leads
• Coordinate with the Laboratory Manager on logistics including safe and proper waste disposal, instrument maintenance, and supplies ordering
• Coordinate with other lab users on use of instruments
• Reports to the project’s Quality Assurance (QA) Officer at Woodwell Climate, and trains and supervises laboratory assistants to participate in analyses during the summertime..
• Strongly encouraged to be a lead/co-author of publications/presentations/technical documents. This includes service to Woodwell and outreach to community and professional networks
• Must work independently and provide supervision and mentorship to assistants as required

Must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Experience operating and maintaining laboratory instruments for aqueous chemical analyses (carbon, nutrients, particulates)
• Must possess technical skills as appropriate for the position (data management, laboratory analytical skills) and ambition to grow these skills
• Understanding of the complexities of field and laboratory research
• Experience conducting field research
• Familiarity with, or interest in learning about, water quality issues in coastal southeastern Massachusetts
• Highly organized, attentive to detail, proactive, and results-oriented
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal)
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and creatively to find solutions to challenges
• Successful experience with supervision and mentoring
• Demonstrated skills in data organization, analysis, and report writing
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice

Qualifications:
• 5+ years of professional relevant experience and Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline or
• 3+ years of professional relevant experience and Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline

Physical Requirements:

In the office:
• Ability to tolerate sustained periods of walking, standing, sitting
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability to communicate
• Ability to kneel, bend, and carry items
• Ability to use phone and computers
• Repetitive movements
• Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings/event

In the field, the physical requirements of this role include:
• Standing and sitting for sustained periods
• Frequent bending, squatting, and kneeling
• Reaching overhead
• Climbing ladders
• Use of manual tools including screwdrivers
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs up to 20 times/day
• Ability to carry up to 25lbs up to 20 times/day
• Ability to push/pull up to 25lbs up to 20 times/day

Application review will begin on February 17, 2025

Desired Start Date: April 7, 2025

Fixed-term: 5 years

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range is $75,000+ dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts (onsite only, no remote option)

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal. Those without cover letters will not be considered.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell Climate does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell Climate acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.

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