This employee will work within SCDNR Marine Resources Division's (MRD) Crustacean Research and Monitoring Section (CRMS) and will be responsible for implementing and reporting on a suite of federal grant projects and long-term fisheries independent monitoring programs focused on recreationally important, commercially valuable, and ecologically significant invertebrates (i.e., blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, shrimp, crayfish, and non-native crustaceans).
Job Duties Include:- Participating in the CRMS fisheries-independent sampling efforts of shrimp, blue crab and horseshoe crab populations
- Collecting data associated with crustaceans of conservation concern and other grant funded projects.
- Working with supervisor and other section biologists to develop schedules for research and monitoring activities (e.g., activities conducted on small boats).
- Processing samples collected in the field.
- Collecting and providing specimens to other research groups as requested.
- Working with section leaders to use existing and newly acquired data to provide summary analyses of long-term trends in crustacean monitoring.
- Participating in activities that further his/her professional development within an academic environment, preferably through the presentation of research findings and assistance in report/manuscript preparation.
- Working with supervisor and section managers to prepare project reports.
- Maintaining laboratory space and equipment necessary for conducting crustacean-related data collections.
- Ensuring data are accurately entered into the appropriate databases in a timely fashion from crustacean surveys and as part of relevant grant funded research projects.
- Maintaining and improving long-term databases.
- Developing new research ideas and/or tools that contribute to the goals of the section.
A master's degree in biology, chemistry or related technical area field; or a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area and two (2) years of experience relevant to the job.
A thorough understanding of, and first-hand experience relevant to the ecology, life histories, and standard sampling approaches for recreationally-, commercially-, and conservationally-important invertebrates (i.e., blue crabs, penaeid shrimp, horseshoe crabs, and crayfish). Ability to plan and implement sampling and research projects within the Crustacean Research and Monitoring Section; skilled in scientific writing and presentations.
