"Environmental Biomolecular Engineer (Research Technician)"

Position Overview

The Environmental Biomolecular Engineer (Research Technician)—under the direction of Drs. Collin Closek and Halleh Balch—will develop a flow-through chemical process that enables whole water samples to be used for hybridization assays to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) and small molecule metabolites in a scalable, compact, and field-deployable platform. The role will assist in sample processing, sequencing, validation tests, contribute to communicating results and expanding stakeholder partnerships. The role provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in novel application of eDNA monitoring to real-world scientific challenges in biodiversity and conservation. The Environmental Biomolecular Engineer (Research Technician) will also gain valuable experience in team-based problem-solving in an international, interdisciplinary research environment. This project builds on established collaborations between the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, ongoing research in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and Palau’s International Coral Reef Center (PICRC).

The project team is based at Stanford University (main campus) and at Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, CA. The majority of the duties will be performed at Hopkins Marine Station and involve regional travel and international travel to Palau for a multi-week period.

This is a one-year fixed term position with the possibility of renewal dependent on programmatic need and budgetary availability.

Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct a landscape assessment of available technologies and miniaturization prospects
• Design a waterproof chemical handling flow-through system
• Test and optimize technologies for high-performance flow-through system
• Perform seawater eDNA extractions, PCR, and sequencing library preparation
• Conduct Oxford Nanopore Sequencing
• Analyze resulting data

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in related scientific field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General understanding of scientific principles. Demonstrated performance to use knowledge and skills when needed.
• Demonstrated ability to apply theoretical knowledge of science principles to problem solve work.
• Ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Detail-oriented
• Self-motivated and takes initiative in starting projects
• Strong communication, molecular, and computational skills
• Organized and completes work products within projected timelines
• Ability to work independently and in a 20-person team, while reporting progress and challenges with collaborators
• Basic knowledge of ecology
• Basic knowledge of genomics
• Applied experience in Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms
• Background in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and/or molecular technologies

Salary

The expected pay range for this position is $32.58 to $38.48 per hour.

Cardinal at Work provides detailed information on Stanford’s benefits.

About the Organizations

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability ... [summary]. The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment ... The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) ...