Review Date: Extended to September 16, 2021
Closing Date: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as possible
Location: Lummi Main Campus
Salary: $50,000 to $53,522 Max DOE
See full details at https://www.nwic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/JA-SSRC-Postdoctoral-Scholar-2021.pdf
The salary placement upon hire will be based on the selected candidate’s education and relevant work experience as outlined in the job announcement and the established salary schedule for the classification of position to be filled. This position is funded by NSF Grant Award # NSF 1840199.
*Northwest Indian College hiring practices include adherence to the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 473). NWIC supports and provides equal opportunity employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information.
SCOPE OF WORK
Northwest Indian College invites applicants for a full-time postdoctoral research position on Lummi campus at the Salish Sea Research Center (SSRC). The SSRC is a 4,200 sq. ft. research center with a variety of equipment and instruments, including an Agilent LC-MS/MS and two research vessels. The SSRC works with our tribal partners to focus on community-identified research and increase the presence and influence of Native American leadership in the area of marine sciences. The SSRC provides the facility for world-class research, and its mission complements and enhances the efforts of research at Northwest Indian College.
The Salish Sea Research Center seeks an energetic individual to help drive our research forward. We work on marine issues related to the Salish Sea that affect the Indigenous communities in the area. The Salish Sea has a history of harmful algae events, and the SSRC monitors for harmful algae and biotoxins of both freshwater and marine systems through microscopy, genomics, and chemical analyses. The successful candidate will work on a community-identified project using LC-MS/MS analysis of biotoxins in shellfish. Depending on their skillset and interest the postdoc will have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, lab work, and method development.
This position is for 24 months initially and renewable depending on funding availability and performance. The successful candidate will receive training in LC-MS/MS and biotoxin methods, research collaboration, presentation and publication of results, and outreach and mentoring. A team of scientists working across various interest groups (tribal, academic, state, and federal) are participating in this effort and there is substantial room for creative approaches by the postdoctoral scientist to propose original research to understand and improve our knowledge of biotoxins in the Salish Sea and their potential to cause harm to humans and wildlife (including molecular, remote sensing, and analytical techniques).
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The postdoctoral researcher will work directly with the Salish Sea Research Center Director on projects related to the impact of Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) species and their biotoxins on aquatic shellfish. The postdoctoral scholar will be fully immersed in the lab and duties will include:
- Analysis of marine and/or freshwater biotoxins;
- Monitoring of harmful algae species, and biotoxins in the Salish Sea;
- Method development for LC-MS/MS;
- Multidisciplinary team projects;
- Mentoring of undergraduate student interns on projects;
- Community engagement events; and
- Any other duties as assigned
Work Environment:
The work environment for this position is primarily within the laboratory, although some outdoor field sampling may be required. Outdoor work could involve exposure to moderate levels of heat cold, and humidity or rain. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The chosen applicant may supervise two or more student interns who are conducting research and may carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the college’s personnel policies and applicable laws.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED to perform this position successfully:
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in biology, chemistry, oceanography, or a related area
- Confident, innovative, problem solver
- Experience with LC-MS or LC-MS/MS for biotoxin analysis
- Basic understanding of harmful algal bloom species and toxin production
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Agilent LC-MS or LC-MS/MS
- Experience with ELISA or similar techniques
- Microscopy and/or algal culturing experience
- Experience with tribal communities
- Experience with supervising and facilitating tribal and/or minority student research projects
- Experience implementing research projects
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Interested individuals should submit the following application materials directly to the NWIC Human Resources Office only.
- Cover letter addressing how you meet the position qualifications
- NWIC Application
- NWIC Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) form
- Current and complete professional resume
- Copies of college transcripts (can submit unofficial copies at time of application)
- Three letters of recommendation from persons, who are not members of your immediate family, who have firsthand knowledge of your qualifications for the position
- If applicable to the position, provide copies of certificates/licenses/credentials
The job announcement and application forms are available online at www.nwic.edu/about-nwic/employment or may be requested from and submitted directly to:
Human Resources Northwest Indian College 2522 Kwina Road Bellingham, WA 98226-9278 Telephone/Fax: 360.392.4230 Email: employment@nwic.edu