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2025 - Research Support Specialist - Buffalo, NY - A Sponsored Program of The Research Foundation for The State University of New York

Title: Research Support Specialist

FTE: Full Time

Annual Salary: $40,000 to $43,000

Summary of position:The Great Lakes Center at Buffalo State University seeks applications for a Research Support Specialist for a full-time 1.5-year position (with the possibility of extension upon funding availability) working on the “Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Components” project as part of the US EPA Great Lakes Long-term Biological Monitoring Program. Within this project we collect and analyze data on benthic communities from all Laurentian Great Lakes. The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate include sorting macroinvertebrates from the Great Lakes benthic samples into taxonomic groups; specimen preparation for identification; identifying and measuring Dreissena spp. in samples; specimen mounting on slides for identification, and participation in two 2- to 4 week-long benthic surveys annually aboard US EPA Research VesselLake Guardian. The successful candidate will also be responsible for electronic data entry, records maintenance, and assist with report preparation.

This position involves mandatory two field 2- to 4 week-long trips each July-September on all Great Lakes aboard EPA’s Research Vessel “Lake Guardian”.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

+ Sorting of benthic samples from the Great Lakes into taxonomic groups

+ Specimen preparation for identification

+ Identifying and measuring Dreissena spp. in samples

+ Specimen mounting on slides for identification

+ Maintaining records; data verification and entry.

Educational Requirements:BS or BA in Zoology, Aquatic Biology, Biology, Ecology, Limnology, Entomology or related discipline.

Qualifications: The preferred but not mandatory qualification is prior experience in taxonomic identification of benthic invertebrates. Other desirable qualifications include strong attention to detail and quality of work, ability to sit at a microscope for 8 hours, strong computer, writing, and communication skills.

Job Related Physical Requirements:

+ Physical work while sampling, with the ability to lift 30-50 lbs.

+ Microscope work

+ Ability to work with preservatives (e.g. formalin, ethanol)

Travel Requirements:

+ Participation in two 2- to 4 week-long benthic surveys annually aboard US EPA Research Vessel Lake Guardian

Job Details:Start Date: 06/15/2025 or when the position is filled. This position is a 1.5-year appointment with a performance review each year. Duration: 12/31/2026 with the possibility of extension upon funding availability.

This opportunity includes an excellent benefit package and is grant-supported by the SUNY Buffalo State Sponsored Programs Office/Research Foundation. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position open until filled: Only one document upload allowed in the system.

The Research Foundation (RF) is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the RF are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system and do not receive state fringe benefits. The RF operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated