Laboratory Research Assistant

Point Blue Conservation Science•Petaluma, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Point Blue Conservation Science is seeking a Laboratory Research Assistant for marine predator diet studies, zooplankton research, data-related tasks, and outreach activities at their Petaluma, California Headquarters. The role involves determining the size class and species composition of prey consumed by seabirds and California sea lions, and examining krill and their relationships with seabirds and other top-predator populations in the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and hourly, with a duration of one year. Point Blue is committed to removing barriers and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.

Requirements

Must have your own transportation method to/from the office since transportation is not provided.
Enjoy working independently.
Plenty of patience for long hours spent looking through a scope to identify cryptic fish ear bones and scales, little marine bugs, and contorted, dried-up fish chips.

Nice To Haves

Degree in biology or related field.
Prior laboratory research experience.

Responsibilities

Identifying otoliths and other fish parts from diet samples (regurgitated pellets and fecal samples) of the Brandt’s cormorant, California least tern, and California sea lion.
Identifying zooplankton taxa and age classes from diet samples (regurgitations) of the Cassin’s auklet.
Preparing zooplankton samples and identifying, weighing, and measuring krill, decapods, and other important zooplankton groups.
Collecting species composition and size data on prey specimens dropped on a California least tern colony in San Francisco Bay.
Entering and proofing data.
Helping to compile information from 50+ years of seabird studies on the Farallon Islands.
Assisting with bi-monthly Farallon Island patrol runs, including packing and transporting supplies to/from local marinas, and keeping patrol run containers clean and organized.
Participating in online outreach activities (mainly Instagram and Facebook Live events) and in-person events at local museums and community colleges.
Training and supervising seasonal interns and laboratory volunteers.
Limited opportunities for field work, such as participating in nest surveys of an endangered California least tern colony in San Francisco Bay (duties include walking through colony with permitted biologists, marking nests, collecting data, and collecting diet samples to be analyzed in the lab).
Potentially participating in at-sea surveys in the Gulf of the Farallones (duties include assisting in net tows, collecting hydrographic data, and conducting seabird and marine mammal surveys).