Job Description

About the Department
The Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences (MEAS) within the College of Sciences at NC State is one of the nation’s largest interdisciplinary geoscience departments. MEAS provides: (1) high quality geoscience instruction to the University community through it courses in marine, Earth, and atmospheric sciences; (2) educational opportunities for undergraduate, masters and doctoral students in geosciences through world-class research, and (3) outreach activities that foster improved public awareness and understanding of science. Research programs cover a varied spectrum including meteorology, climatology, geology, oceanography, and marine biology. MEAS includes approximately 40 faculty, 70 graduate students, and over 200 undergraduates involved in basic and applied studies of Earth systems with degree programs in marine sciences, geology, and meteorology. MEAS is dedicated to excellence in research, teaching, and promoting an environment that allows all members of the department to thrive. Principal concentrations include weather prediction, air quality, air-sea interactions, climate modeling, hydrology, geochemistry, oceanography, active tectonics, surface processes & Quaternary studies, geochronology, sedimentology, regional geology, and geospatial analytics applied to the geosciences. Programs include many tracks in each of our program areas and thus provide the opportunity for an education broader than bachelor’s degrees in more traditional departments.

The multi-disciplinary nature of MEAS lends itself to the study of such problems as prediction of severe weather (e.g. hurricanes), geologic hazards, coastal erosion, air-sea-land interactions, pollution of surface and groundwater, big-data assimilation, and global climate change. While basic research is always important, many research projects also have direct application to current issues such as water quality/water supply, seafood harvests, climate change, weather prediction, natural hazards, Earth resources and land use. Additional information about the department and its facilities can be found at: https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu.

Opportunities exist for disciplinary and interdisciplinary interactions with a wide range of scientists at NC State. MEAS is one of six NC State departments with a presence at the NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST), a coastal and marine science research facility located on Bogue Sound in Morehead City, NC (http://www.cmast.ncsu.edu), and MEAS faculty participate in the Center for Geospatial Analytics (http://geospatial.ncsu.edu). The North Carolina State Climate Office (https://climate.ncsu.edu/) and the Raleigh office of the National Weather Service reside on NC State’s campus. In addition, the Data Science Academy (DSA) at NC State seeks to create a nationally recognized hub of excellence in data science and analytics (https://datascienceacademy.ncsu.edu). Raleigh, North Carolina is a progressive and welcoming community with a wide range of potential collaborators at nearby academic and governmental institutions in the Research Triangle. Opportunities exist to draw on departmental and campus resources to develop strong teaching expertise using best practices. While working in this department, you will be expected to foster a supportive and welcoming environment.

NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Flexible Spending Account
Retirement Programs
Disability Plans
Life Insurance
Accident Plan
Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
12 Holidays Each Year
Tuition and Academic Assistance
And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
The Research Assistant provides laboratory and field research support for the Plankton Ecology Lab in the areas of biological oceanography and harmful algal bloom ecology. The position supports instrumentation management, field sampling campaigns, laboratory analyses, and data processing activities affiliated with the Center for Coastal Algae, People, and the Environment.

The Research Assistant works under the general supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) and supports established research protocols while developing applied technical competencies in laboratory and field environments. The scope of duties are as follows:

Instrumentation Operations & Maintenance
Operate, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot the Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB).
Perform diagnostics and coordinate vendor service when necessary.
Deploy and retrieve submersible instrumentation in estuarine and coastal environments.
Maintain calibration and ensure continuous data acquisition integrity.

Field Sampling & Logistics
Organize and conduct routine field sampling campaigns.
Maintain field equipment readiness and inventory.
Operate university vehicles to access sampling sites.
Perform work in variable environmental conditions (heat, cold, mud, insects).

Laboratory Analysis & Sample Processing
Conduct chlorophyll extractions, DNA extractions, and ELISA toxin assays.
Perform microscopy to quantify plankton abundance and community composition.
Maintain laboratory organization, sample inventories, and freezer storage.
Ensure compliance with university safety and research protocols.

Data Management & Computational Support
Assist with image classification workflows for plankton taxa identification.
Support machine learning applications to ecological datasets.
Utilize analytical coding platforms (e.g., Matlab, Python, R) for data processing and quality control.
Maintain accurate and timely data documentation.

Research Support & Lab Coordination
Support graduate and undergraduate research projects.
Serve as liaison with facilities and vendors when needed.
Promote a collaborative, safe, and welcoming research environment.
Other Responsibilities
Occasional evenings and/or weekend work required.



Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
Relevant Master’s degree in a related scientific discipline OR
Bachelor’s degree in oceanography, marine science, ecology, biology, or related field and three (3) years of related experience OR
Equivalent combination of training and experience

Other Required Qualifications
Ability to follow established research protocols under general supervision.
Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in field and laboratory settings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with phytoplankton identification and imaging systems.
Experience with Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) instrumentation.
Familiarity with machine learning methods applied to scientific research.
Proficiency in Matlab, Python, or R.