Position Summary
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a Laboratory Technologist to support ongoing biological community restoration programs in the Great Lakes basin.
This position brings together complementary expertise across the physical and biological sciences, including aquatic ecology, environmental chemistry and engineering, microbial and molecular ecology, and environmental genomics. The research focuses on understanding environmental stressors—such as nuisance benthic algae and invasive species—and their impacts on Great Lakes ecosystems.
Although administratively housed within CEE at Michigan State University, this position is physically located at the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center (USGS-GLSC) in Indiana. The successful candidate will conduct field and laboratory research in close collaboration with MSU and USGS scientists.
The overarching goal of the program is to advance native species restoration efforts (including fish and freshwater mussels) while improving management strategies for nuisance benthic algae, particularly Cladophora spp.
Specific objectives of the position include:
- Characterizing the drivers and ecological consequences of nuisance benthic algae arising from complex interactions among algae, sunlight, water clarity, and invasive dreissenid mussels (quagga and zebra mussels).
- Improving assessments of native and nonnative fish communities through the application of emerging DNA-based technologies.
- Developing and optimizing methods for culturing native freshwater mussels to support reintroduction programs, including efforts led by the National Park Service (Indiana Dunes National Park).
- Elucidating the role of microbial communities in ecological processes and ecosystem services, particularly in nearshore environments affected by nuisance benthic algae (e.g., nutrient cycling).
These efforts involve close collaboration with scientists from the USGS-GLSC, the National Park Service, and partner universities.
Key Responsibilities
This position supports field data collection, data analysis, instrument deployment and maintenance, and laboratory analysis of a wide range of environmental samples. The successful candidate will be based at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station and will work closely with MSU and USGS scientists. Primary responsibilities include:
- Field sampling and research support
Travel with a field crew to collect environmental samples (e.g., algae, water, sediments, and dreissenid mussels) from pre-established transects across all four Great Lakes—Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—and associated waterways. Sampling is conducted by SCUBA-certified team members, including the successful candidate, primarily between May and September, with approximately 3–4 field visits per lake during this period.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis
Apply eDNA and other DNA-based technologies to identify potential fish spawning tributaries for priority species, supporting ongoing Great Lakes fishery restoration programs.
- Native species restoration support
Assist with group-directed projects related to native species restoration and reintroduction, including freshwater unionid mussels. This work is conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service and involves laboratory propagation of mussel larvae to produce juvenile mussels for further rearing by NPS prior to reintroduction into restored stream habitats.
- Scientific instrument deployment and data retrieval
Deploy scientific instruments (e.g., Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers [ADCPs]) and retrieve and manage data from field-based instrumentation.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in a related science field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in basic laboratory techniques; experience in working in Biosafety Level 2 laboratories; experience in molecular ecology and environmental DNA (eDNA) in biodiversity programs, and empirical predictive modeling and microbiological analyses; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience coordinating field operations, including assembling field teams and scheduling tasks.
- Experience assisting with laboratory inventory management, equipment maintenance, annual servicing and calibrations, and implementation of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) programs.
- Experience analyzing data and contributing to the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Five years of related and progressively more responsible experience performing laboratory analyses on a wide range of environmental samples (e.g., algae, water, sediments, and fish tissue) to assess microbial communities and fish species of interest using DNA-based methods.
- Demonstrated proficiency with laboratory techniques, including membrane filtration, DNA extraction, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and in vitro freshwater mussel propagation.
- Certification in scuba diving is preferred: Industry recognized certifications (PADI, NAUI, ADCI).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Description of End Date
This is an off-dated position funded from date of hire through FEB 22, 2027, with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal.
Website
https://www.egr.msu.edu/cee/
Summary of Physical Demands
Field work is generally performed outdoors in aquatic environments and involves moderate to extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and waves on occasions. Field work may include working onboard research vessels involving slippery surfaces and rocking motions on and long hours of travel in a government provided vehicle to study sites. Special safety precautions are required, and the employee will be required to wear a life jacket and waders for some activities. Applicant should have a valid driver’s license. This position occasionally requires travel.
Summary of Health Risks
Laboratory and office work generally involve extended periods of sitting or standing. In the laboratory, the technicians work in close contact with freshwater shellfish.
