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Research Assistant-Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Project
Job Location:
Job Location:
Daytona Beach, FL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
11 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
8 October 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Bethune-Cookman University
Job Title: Research Assistant BivalveSeagrass Restoration Project
Reporting Structure: Principal Investigator/CEL Program Director Title III Director Provost
Reporting Structure: Principal Investigator/CEL Program Director Title III Director Provost
Division: Academic Affairs
Job Summary: The Research Assistant will support implementation of the Florida BivalveSeagrass Restoration Consortiums Coordinated Network Experiment (CNE) within mesocosm systems at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach and in situ Indian River Lagoon (IRL) field sites. This position is responsible for coordinating field and laboratory sampling maintaining mesocosm systems managing environmental and biological datasets and supporting deep-learning modeling workflows in collaboration with project investigators. The Research Assistant will also mentor undergraduate research interns and contribute to outreach dissemination and reporting activities associated with the Florida Sea Grant project
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Research & Field Operations
- Assist with setup maintenance and monitoring of mesocosm systems at the Marine Discovery Center.
- Conduct routine field and laboratory sampling for water quality sediment seagrass and bivalve metrics.
- Perform measurements including salinity temperature dissolved oxygen chlorophyll-a nutrients total suspended solids and light availability.
- Support clam growth survival and condition assessments; seagrass biomass and foliar nutrient analyses; and sediment characterization.
- Maintain calibration logs and quality assurance protocols for YSI sondes PAR sensors and conductivity loggers.
- Data Management & Analysis
- Enter clean organize and manage multivariate environmental datasets.
- Generate time-series plots and summary visualizations using Python and/or R.
- Support development of deep learning models (DNN GRU LSTM) in collaboration with Co-PIs.
- Assist with data preprocessing feature engineering model evaluation and documentation.
- Student Mentoring & Experiential Learning
- Supervise and train undergraduate research interns in field methods laboratory procedures and data management.
- Support experiential learning activities coordinated through the Center for Collaborative Experiential Learning (CEL).
- Guide students in research communication poster preparation and data visualization.
- Reporting Outreach & Collaboration
- Contribute to project reports presentations and publications.
- Assist with dissemination activities including MDC public education displays and guided tours.
- Participate in consortium meetings and cross-institutional coordination with UF and MDC partners.
- Support presentations at professional conferences and community outreach events.
- Maintain organized project records supplies and sampling schedules.
- Assist PI with documentation for deliverables and timelines.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Strong background in aquatic ecology environmental monitoring or restoration science
- Experience with field sampling and laboratory analysis
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Python and/or R preferred
- Ability to manage complex datasets and produce visual summaries
- Excellent organizational communication and documentation skills
- Ability to mentor undergraduate students in research environments
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across institutions
- Comfort working outdoors in variable environmental conditions
- Attention to detail and commitment to data quality and integrity
Education and Experience:
- Masters degree in Environmental Science Marine Science Biology Ecology or closely related field
Preferred Skills Experience and Education:
- Experience with estuarine or coastal systems
- Familiarity with seagrass bivalve ecology or restoration science
- Experience with environmental sensors (YSI PAR conductivity loggers)
- Prior involvement in research projects integrating field data with computational analysis
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to perform duties in both office and laboratory/field environments.
- Ability to sit stand walk and move between work locations as needed.
- Ability to use hands for computer work and routine laboratory tasks.
- Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Sufficient visual and auditory acuity to perform job duties safely and effectively with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments and tolerate exposure to varying environmental conditions consistent with field and laboratory activities.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race color national and ethnic origin sex retaliation marital status religion or disability or any other applicable local state or federal regulation. Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities equal employment opportunity and Title IX matters should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at .
The university reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time in its attempts to improve the operations of the university
Required Experience:
Junior IC
About Company
On October 3, 1904, an exceptional young Black woman, Mary McLeod Bethune, opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls—what would become Bethune-Cookman University—with $1.50, faith in God and five little girls, along with Dr. Bethune’s son, Albert. ... View more
