Research Scientist Position in Marine Carbonate Chemistry – 18 month duration (Maine)
The Downeast Institute (DEI) seeks a motivated and creative marine biologist with expertise in ocean
and sediment carbonate chemistry. This individual will oversee both internal and external research and
operation of an ocean acidification laboratory as well as conduct experiments in the laboratory and
field to determine effects of ocean acidification (OA) on the biology and ecology of local,
commercially-important shellfish. This research will be facilitated by state-of-the-art shellfish hatchery
facilities at DEI where we have been rearing bivalves and crustaceans for the past 35 years. The
successful candidate will work closely with the Institute’s Director of Research and its staff to
maintain and operate the OA laboratory, and promote interactive research with outside investigators
who utilize DEI facilities for OA research.
The OA laboratory is designed to study impacts of global environmental changes on marine
organisms, with a focus on full factorial ocean acidification and warming experiments using replicate tanks that are fully physically and statistically independent (see: https://downeastinstitute.org/our-facility/for-scientists/ocean-acidification-laboratory/). The successful candidate will be responsible for recommending and acquiring appropriate equipment and supplies for the OA laboratory and for the
field to conduct manipulative experiments to examine how current and anticipated future carbonate
chemistry of seawater and sediments affect life-history dynamics of local shellfish. The successful
candidate will have broad, in-depth knowledge of shellfish biology/ecology as well as carbonate
chemistry related to seawater and sediments. They will have experience writing successful grants, and
maintaining, improving, and working in the OA laboratory. The position (including salary, fringe) is
funded for a period of 18 months.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have/be:
1) An advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Marine Biology or Marine Chemistry, or a
related field;
2) In-depth understanding of shellfish biology/ecology/physiology, and seawater carbonate
chemistry;
3) Experience working in an OA laboratory;
4) Experience working with infaunal and epibenthic shellfish;
5) A desire to play a key role in developing new technologies;
6) An independent thinker and problem-solver who is an enthusiastic and collaborative
professional with excellent written and oral communication skills;
7) A proven ability to work well in a team environment;
8) Experience writing and obtaining extramural funding for research grants;
9) A successful track record of published peer-reviewed journal articles related to OA research;
and,
10) Passionate about working in a rural setting in the newest marine laboratory on the east coast of
the United States.
Company Description
The Downeast Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that is located on a 16-acre coastal
campus in far eastern Maine in the town of Beals. It operates the easternmost marine research
laboratory and education center in the United States, as well as a production and research shellfish
hatchery. The pristine, cold water location and state-of-the-art venue provides exceptional capacity for
scientists, marine educators, and their teams. As the University of Maine at Machias’ Marine Science
Field Station and local experiential classroom, DEI enriches the education of local youth, university
students and the visiting public. We culture commercially important shellfish seed, restoring and
creating economic opportunities for harvesters, aquaculturists, and other entrepreneurs throughout
coastal Maine and beyond. DEI’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of downeast
and coastal Maine through marine research, marine science education, and innovations in wild and
cultured fisheries. DEI has a staff of 14, and a 14-member volunteer board of directors. For more
information, please visit https://downeastinstitute.org/about-us/. DEI offers a competitive benefits
package.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. That is,
applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; however, we are not
able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
Materials must be submitted electronically to bbeal@downeastinstitute.org with “Application for
Research Scientist Position” in the subject line.
Required material includes: Cover Letter, References, Resume/CV, and Transcripts.
All required materials must be submitted by 1 February, 2025.
Appropriate background screening will be conducted on the successful candidate.
A March 1 starting date is preferred.
The Downeast Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Description
The Research Scientist in Marine Carbonate Chemistry will execute a series of
laboratory and field experiments related to ocean acidification and warming impacts on local
marine life including the soft-shell clam, blue mussel, Atlantic surfclam, American lobster and other
species. The Research Scientist will work closely with the Institute’s Director of Research and its
staff to maintain and operate the OA laboratory, and promote interactive research with outside
investigators who utilize DEI facilities for OA research.
Duties Include:
• managing internal and external use of the Ocean Acidification Lab and providing technical
assistance to all users;
• calibrating the ocean acidification experimental system;
• seeking and writing research grants to support the OA Lab;
• promoting, scheduling and managing use of the OA lab
• marine animal (bivalve and lobster) larval culture;
• creating chemical reagents for carbonate chemistry analyses;
• developing a field-based sampling program to understand carbonate chemistry of mudflats;
• assisting with supervision of UMM and other undergraduates during summer and/or during
fall/spring semester as needed;
• recommending and acquiring appropriate equipment and supplies for the OA laboratory and
for the field to conduct manipulative experiments;
• supervising DEI staff (i.e., technicians, interns, research assistants) who are assigned to
assist in the OA laboratory;
• other duties or functions as needed.
Position Duration: 18-month appointment with possibility of annual renewal (contingent on
available grant funding).
Position Location: The Downeast Institute, 39 Wildflower Lane, Beals, Maine, and off-campus field
sites as determined by research needs. The Downeast Institute serves as the Marine Science Field
Station of the University of Maine at Machias.
Supervision: When funding allows, a Research Assistant will report to DEI’s Research Scientist in
Marine Carbonate Chemistry. The Research Scientist will conduct an annual performance
evaluation with the assistance of members of DEI’s management team.
Supervisory Responsibilities: The Research Technician will share in the direction and supervision
of summer interns working in the laboratory and field.
Work Timeframe: 18-month appointment. Workweek is a minimum of five days and may include
weekends. The workday is 8 hours and dependent on the specific project need.
The Research Scientist reports to DEIs Director of Research
