Working Title

Research Lab and Field Analyst

SF State University

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.

Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing vpsaem@sfsu.edu.

San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus.  Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.

The person holding this position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect  Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code.  The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Department

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs/ Estuary & Ocean Science Center

Located at SF State's Romberg Tiburon Campus 

Appointment Type

Temporary:

Position will end on or before 12/31/2024. Permanent status cannot be earned in this grant funded position. This Temporary appointment can be concluded prior to the stated temporary appointment end date, normally with a two-week notice period. Continuation of this temporary appointment is contingent upon grant funding.

Time Base

Full-time 

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday; from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Anticipated Hiring Range

$3,987.00 per month ($47,844.00 annually) 

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, this Research Technician will be responsible for but not limited to collecting, analyzing and synthesizing oceanographic data for research contracts and grants. The technician will be independently responsible for maintaining a nutrient analyzer at a water quality shore station at the EOS Center Tiburon site. They may also be involved in conducting fieldwork - be able to drive to, and operate small boats in, the study site. Responsible for making water quality measurements while research vessel is underway and for collecting water samples for lab analyses. In the research laboratory, make analyses of concentrations of ammonium and chlorophyll and help with running a nutrient AutoAnalyzer and a mass spectrometer. Be able to carry out phytoplankton incubations to measure primary productivity with stable isotopic tracers. Immediately supervised by a Research Technician 3 or PI. In addition will carry out general lab duties including cruise preparation, compile data and contribute to generation of lab reports by inputting data to computer and making synthesis plots.

Position Information

Water quality shore-station and laboratory analyses

• Maintain and calibrate a realtime SUNA nitrate sensor and nutrient analyzer installed at a water quality shore station. The station will be monitored daily. Troubleshoot any problems and tell PI. The deployment and data collection by these shore-station continuous measurement instruments is a core part of the research award paying this position.
• Make up reagents and nutrient standards for the shore station instruments and calibrate the system by collecting discrete water samples and analyzing in the lab.
• Ensure real-time data is being collected and stored using the communication software and work with electronics troubleshooting to display and archive data.
• Collect field samples for nutrient and chlorophyll analyses. In lab prepare and analyze samples for analysis of chlrophyll and nutrients -fuorometer or spectrophotomter or Autoanalyzer.
• Carry out productivity incubations with water innoculated with stable isotopes and be familiar with mass spectrometry analysis.

General lab duties

• Clean glassware, make up reagents and nutrient standards.
• Document and deal with chemical waste and record keeping
• Data entry into spreadsheets.
• Completing all required SFSU Health and Safety training

Fieldwork

• Prepare for cruises by cleaning, packing and labeling sample containers and instruments.
• Drive to the field sites.
• Participate in day-long cruises in research vessel in San Francisco Bay. Deploy instruments from vessel, collect water for lab analyses, run underway water quality instrumentation including SeaBird SUNA and Timberline Ammonium Analyzer.
• Drive all samples back to lab after fieldwork and prepare samples for preservation and storage.

Data synthesis

• Enter raw data into analytical spreadsheets,
• Prepare graphs of data,
• Be able to write r-code for analyses and synthesis.
• Ensure data that has ben QA/QC’d is made available to PIs

Other duties as assigned

At All Times

• Demonstrate behaviors that are in line with the User Friendly Principles (P530C) and Principles of Conduct for a Multi-Cultural University (P30D)
• Demonstrate safe work practices for oneself, others and the office environment.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledges and Abilities:

Working knowledge of research techniques and the methods of preparation of research reports; working knowledge of statistical principles and procedures, including methods of frequency series, data, simple correlation methods, sampling techniques, and construction of index numbers.

Ability to assist in preparation of questionnaires, gathering and analyzing research data, and in compiling data for reports and summaries in tabular, graphic, and pictorial form; ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt an effective course of action; ability to speak and write effectively.

Experience:

One year of experience in technical research or statistical work. One year of graduate study in the social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistics, public or business administration, or engineering fields may be substituted for the required experience.

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university, including or supplemented by a course in statistics. Additional experience which has demonstrated that the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledges and abilities delineated above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

A background check (which may include: checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records, motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires). Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degrees in a scientific area
• At least 2 years’ experience working in the field, at sea and in chemical laboratory setting
• Have taken small boat training
• Must possess a driver’s license-ideally CA license. Position will include the use of state vehicles for fieldwork
• Core Competencies – embody the following competencies:
• Bias toward collaboration and teamwork.
• Effective oral, written and nonverbal communication skills.
• Customer/Client Focus with an emphasis in problem solving and resolution.
• Personal effectiveness and credibility as demonstrated by interpersonal and professional confidence.
• Diversity and inclusion.

Environmental/Physical/Special

• Must possess a driver’s license-ideally CA license. Position will include the use of state vehicles for fieldwork
• Be able to stand for periods of time in lab and field.
• Be able to lift research gear on and off vehicles, and heavy containers of water – may be up to50lb
• The work schedule for this position is flexible and may require work on weekends occasionally and early mornings

Pre-Employment Requirements

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

Eligibility to Work

Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.

Benefits

Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions.  SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.

CSUEU Position (For CSUEU Positions Only)

Eligible and qualified on-campus applicants, currently in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 are given hiring preference.

Additional Information

SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU).  CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California.  Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception.  While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process are encouraged to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to hrwww@sfsu.edu.

The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (415) 338-1872.

Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.