Benthic Taxonomic Specialist

Huntsman Marine; Town of Saint Andrews; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Annual and sick leave

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Huntsman Marine Science Centre in New Brunswick seeks a Marine Benthic Taxonomic Specialist to identify benthic species with precision, using stereo and compound microscopes. You’ll manage data, train staff, and contribute to confidential research contracts for sponsors. Occasional field collection may be required.

Ideal candidates hold a related degree, have benthos expertise, and thrive in a production lab environment with strong English communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or technical diploma in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience identifying marine benthos.
• Detail-oriented and efficient in a production lab.
• Strong written and verbal English communication.
• Ability to work with chemicals and in adverse conditions.

Responsibilities

• Identify marine benthos to species with high precision.
• Operate stereo and compound microscopes and lab equipment.
• Prepare samples and manage preservatives and subsampling.
• Record data accurately and in SOP compliance.
• Maintain data QA/QC and SOPs.
• Coordinate taxonomic projects and train staff.
• Develop protocols and SOPs for projects.
• Assist with lab management, supplies, and health/safety.
• Participate in field collection as needed.
• Mentor junior staff and cross-train in other disciplines.

Skills

Microscope work

Taxonomic identification

Data QA/QC

Laboratory techniques

English communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor degree

Technical diploma

Tools

Stereo microscope

Compound microscope

Laboratory balances

Job description

The Huntsman Marine Science Centre is expanding its Taxonomy team with additional Marine Benthic Taxonomic Specialist positions – individuals having specific interest, experience and skillset associated with benthic taxonomic identification of marine species, especially from the western Atlantic Ocean. We are looking for highly motivated and dynamic individuals who work well both individually and within a team of technicians and research scientists to conduct a diverse set of confidential research contracts and projects for commercial, government, and university sponsors. The ideal candidate will have expertise in sorting benthic samples and identifying benthos, preferably from Atlantic Canadian, or biogeographically related, waters. This is primarily a laboratory position but there may be occasional fieldwork opportunities.

WAGE AND BENEFITS:

Hourly wage commensurate with experience plus benefits, including health care, annual and sick leave, life insurance and retirement plan available. This full-time position has comparable responsibilities to the Huntsman Aquatic Research Technician II position, has an indeterminate term, and is funded through research contracts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifying marine benthos to species with a high degree of precision.
• Working with stereo dissecting and compound microscopes, balances, and other lab equipment.
• Transferring samples out of chemical preservatives and subsampling according to approved laboratory techniques.
• Recording raw data promptly, accurately, and in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures while retaining responsibility for data quality.
• Verifying data recorded on DCFs to ensure compliance with department Standard Operating Procedures and Study Plans/Study Protocols as necessary. Undertaking data QA/QC when required.
• Organizing and researching taxonomic identification materials from lab-provided and internet sources to enable efficient and accurate identification of species.
• Coordinating taxonomic identification projects on marine infauna, including developing protocols, organising staff, and data QA/QC.
• Preparing Standard Operating Procedures and protocols related to project activities.
• Mentoring and training less experienced members of staff and students.
• Assisting with laboratory management and organization, including managing laboratory supplies and equipment and Health and Safety.
• Assisting or leading field collection as required.
• Reliably working independently as well as within a team of study participants having diverse talents and personalities.
• Undertaking cross-training in other department disciplines as needed to meet project and business demands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant Bachelor degree or technical diploma or equivalent experience to demonstrate Specialist level knowledge.
• Experience and expertise in identifying marine benthos.
• Must be able to work in a production-focused laboratory while being detail-oriented and efficient.
• Significant experience with microscope work.
• Proficiency in computer use, including spreadsheets, word processing, and internet.
• Physical ability to perform assigned duties that may require work in adverse environmental conditions; and/or carry or lift heavy materials; and/or work with toxic, volatile, and corrosive chemicals or carcinogenic substances.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to legally work or obtain a Visa to work in Canada.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in identifying species from Atlantic Canada or biogeographically related waters.
• Experience of staff management or training.
• Ability to travel to other locations to complete sampling events.