Research Assistant-Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Project

Position: Research Assistant-Bivalve-Seagrass Restoration Project

Location: Daytona Beach, FL

Job : 1745

# of Openings: 1

Bethune-Cookman University

Job Title: Research Assistant – Bivalve–Seagrass Restoration Project

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 Bivalve–Seagrass Restoration Consortium’s 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, or closely related field

• 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

• Ability to perform duties in both office and laboratory/field environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move between work locations as needed.
• Abili…