The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences is a nationally renowned School that provides Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral instruction and degrees to a competitive international population of students. The faculty, staff, and students of the School support a vibrant and diverse research program, with annual support exceeding $3.2 million in state funding and $12 million in sponsored research funding. The School maintains unique research stations both in Alaska and on Hood
Canal, and manages small vessels that support instructional and research activities.

NAME OF PROJECT(S): Parasite ecology in marine and freshwater ecosystems

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Collect data on parasites in various host species

The school’s Wood Lab seeks a Temporary Laboratory Technician 1 to support projects on the ecology of parasites in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Projects will: (1) identify drivers of diversity and composition for marine parasite assemblages, (2) reconstruct historical marine parasite assemblages, and (3) use ecological approaches to understand and control infectious disease.

See www.chelsealwood.com for additional information on these projects and links to published papers. Tasks to be performed by the Laboratory Technician will include:

–       Parasitological dissections of fresh, frozen, and pickled marine fishes and
invertebrates (75%).
–       Data entry, data QA/QC, and database management (10%).
–       Assist with lab work for undergraduate capstone projects (5%).
–       Field work, including sampling snails in freshwater ecosystems of Senegal
(5%).
–       Lab management (order supplies, manage inventory, ensure proper use and
maintenance of microscopy/imaging equipment and dissecting supplies) (5%).

REQUIREMENTS:

High school graduation of GED certificate

OR

One year’s experience as a Laboratory Helper or equivalent.

3 months related parasitology experience, either educational or work, e.g. work in a parasitology lab, or completion of an introductory parasitology course.

–   Familiarity with the major parasite groups, including crustaceans, monogenes, trematodes, cestodes, acanthocephalans, and nematodes.
–       Ability to use literature resources to identify parasites (e.g., dichotomous keys, published papers).
–       Ability to identify the major organs of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
–       Ability to effectively use both stereo-microscopes and compound microscopes.
–       Ability to use Excel for data entry.
–       Ability to work with minimal oversight.

DESIRED:

–       Bachelor’s degree in ecology, parasitology, or related field.
–       Experience with parasitological dissection of marine fish.
–       Experience with parasitological dissection of pickled specimens.
–       Familiarity with protozoan parasites.
–       Experience in parasite systematics/taxonomy.
–       Organization, neatness, and commitment to high data quality.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

The Laboratory Technician may have the opportunity to engage in field work, depending on the date of hire. Field work would occur in freshwater ecosystems of Senegal, West Africa, where our group performs regular sampling of the snail intermediate hosts of the human disease schistosomiasis. It is not required that the Laboratory Technician attend these trips, but the opportunity will be open to him or her. These trips would entail:

•       Travel to Dakar, Senegal by plane and on to St. Louis, Senegal by car.
•       Remaining in-country for up to 3 weeks.
•       Hot working conditions.
•       Irregular working hours.
•       Lifting and carrying of gear.
•       Wading in muddy river edges and ponds.
•       Careful adherence to biosafety protocols to avoid exposure to schistosomiasis.
•       Careful adherence to personal care guidelines (e.g., ensuring that vaccinations are up-to-date, strict avoidance of tap water and foods washed in tap water while in-country).
•       Respect for Senegalese customs, beliefs, and preferences.

Application Process:

e application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Criminal Conviction History, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=jobprofile&szOrderID=137302