Jobs

Undergraduate Lab Technician in Sea Scallop Research

Term: Summer 2012-Spring 2013
School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST)
Department of Fisheries Oceanography
Fairhaven, MA 02719
Supervisor:  Kevin Stokesbury, PhD
Maximum Hours:
20 hours per week during academic semester
40 hours per week during academic breaks and summer

The Atlantic sea scallop is one of the most economically valuable commercial species in the Northeast United States.  Working cooperatively with the commercial scallop industry, our research focuses on understanding the relationships between scallop population dynamics, biology and ecology.  This position will assist in two research projects being conducted by our laboratory.  One study is investigating seasonal effects on sea scallop reproduction and energetics.  This project includes both controlled laboratory and field components and the use of stable isotope tracer techniques.

The other study focuses on meat quality in sea scallops.  The occurrence of gray or “discolored” scallop meat in areas of Georges Bank has become a concern for industry.  The scallops have a low meat yield and the discolored and poor quality meat has a low market value.  This project will document the spatial and temporal occurrence of these “gray” scallops and investigate possible causes for the decline in meat quality.

Job Description: 

Work as part of the SMAST Scallop Research Lab on a variety of field, lab and office tasks including:
- Sample processing and preparation for scallop biological studies

• Meat quality analysis-proximate analysis
• Preparing shells for stable isotope analysis

- Some husbandry duties for scallops in experimental tanks in SMAST salt water facility.
- Opportunity to participate (not required) in sample collection from survey cruises 7 day trips on commercial fishing vessels up to 200 miles offshore
- Other lab needs and duties at supervisor’s discretion

Desired Qualifications:
- Some experience working in a chemistry laboratory
- Knowledge of proximate analysis procedures preferred but will train
- Interest in using chemical tracers (stable isotopes) in shellfish and ecological studies
- Ability to work independently
- Organizational skills

Please contact:
Susan Inglis, Research Associate
SMAST University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
(508) 910-6359; singlis@umassd.edu

NUWC Faculty Programs

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, offers the following programs for faculty.  Visit the url indicated or contact Lou Goodman (lgoodman@umassd.edu) for details.  More about NUWC at http://www.smast.umassd.edu/Turbulence/.

• ONR Summer Faculty Research Program and Sabbatical Leave Program (ASEE)
  - Faculty work at NUWC during summer
  - Application Deadline - early December
  - http://www.asee.org/summer/
• ONR Young Investigator Program (YIP)
  - Faculty apply to perform research at NUWC in specific areas - Application deadline – early January
  - http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/