Research Scientist

Heidelberg University•Tiffin, OH

About The Position

The National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) at Heidelberg University is seeking a highly motivated research scientist to assume responsibilities and conduct tasks related to the Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program (HTLP) and help ensure the success of NCWQR’s operations and achieve its mission. The position requires a variety of professional duties that require an advanced level of expertise and knowledge. The research scientist will be hired on a year-around appointment with full employee benefits. The NCWQR is a research arm of the science departments at Heidelberg University, which is a private, comprehensive Master’s institution located in Tiffin in northwestern Ohio.

Requirements

Completion of a PhD in the Natural Sciences and Engineering, or a related field.
Experience in conducting water quality, hydrologic, and sediment transport monitoring.
Experience in water quality data and watershed nutrient loading analyses
Strong analytical and data analysis skills
Experience in publishing scientific articles.
Demonstrates mental sharpness, capability, and agility
Adept at multi-tasking
Proficient at time management
High attention to detail
Efficient and quick acting when needed
Can work independently when applicable
Able to focus on task at hand until completion
Good organizational skills
Seeks feedback and counsel to improve knowledge, skill, abilities, and behaviors
Asks questions about tasks at hand when needed
Seeks to improve or revise tasks to fit current needs
Meets expected standards of quality work
Gains insight from successes and mistakes
Shows initiative to troubleshoot any issues or seek assistance
Communicates any questions or issues that arise without hesitation
Performs effectively as a hard-working member of a team
Willingness to fill in on additional tasks as needed
Show initiative to put in extra work during busy periods
Adheres to deadlines
Excellent communication skills, especially with team members
Attends project meetings barring significant time conflicts
Managerial Competency
Provides timely, constructive, and balanced feedback
Sets clear work expectations
Provides training and new opportunities when needed
Available for questions or help when needed
Employees in this position must have a valid Ohio driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Experience in presenting scientific information to mixed audiences.
Graduate coursework in and/or laboratory experience in analytical chemistry using ion-chromatography and spectroscopy. Experience in running LC-MS-MS, GC-MS, or ICP-MS is a plus!
Strong programming skills and experience with programming languages such as Python, R, etc.

Responsibilities

Be an integral member of the NCWQR’s Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program (HTLP)
Serve as the quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) personnel of the NCWQR
Conduct innovative and appropriate statistical analyses or modeling approaches to the HTLP data independently or as part of the NCWQR team
Conduct various loading calculations and trend models to estimate daily, seasonal, and annual loads for each of the HTLP sampling locations and constituents.
Write reports specific to HTLP monitoring stations as needed
Initiate, write, and submit external grant proposals for funding existing and new innovative research projects aligned with the HTLP and NCWQR’s mission
Help develop and contribute on project proposals within the NCWQR
Assist as a PI or co-PI in the management and implementation of research grants tasks, activities, and deliverables including but not limited to project meetings, sample collection, data analysis, progress report and/or manuscript preparation.
Publish the results of NCWQR’s research projects and monitoring studies in appropriate scientific journals
Disseminate HTLP and other project results to diverse audiences via presentations, fact sheets or handouts, webinars, or other means.
Participate in stakeholders’ (agricultural, environmental, academe, policy and regulatory groups, etc.) meetings at local, state, national, and bi-national levels as deemed appropriate to advance NCWQR programs.
Participate in and/or lead interdisciplinary and inter-university research studies addressing land-use/water-quality issues both in the Great Lakes watersheds and Mississippi River basins
Train and supervise student workers and/or interns
Assist students in their independent research projects