Research Assistant

Position Title

Research Assistant

Requisition Number

8973BR

College/Division

College of Science

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, List of References

Employment Category

Fulltime

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate.

RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Required Minimum Education Level

BS

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or BR number.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree

• Evidence of ability to work independently

• Research experience in both laboratory and field settings

• Familiarity with basic Microsoft, Google and statistical applications

• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to participate in strenuous field activities

• A valid driver's license is required for travel to local and regional field sites.

PLEASE NOTE: The individual hired for this position will be required to have a pre-employment Motor Vehicle check, and the Motor Vehicle Report must clear RIT's Safe Driving Policy. (see Page 4)

Preferred Qualifications

• MS Degree is an environmental or related field

• Bench work, especially analysis of microplastic in environmental samples and biogeochemistry

• Lab management experience

• Evidence of commitment to dissemination of research to scientific and community audiences

Department/College Description

The Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences (GSoLS) comprises 27 full-time Faculty, 6 full-time staff and approximately 300 full-time students across our undergraduate majors of Biology, Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and Environmental Science; and approximately 50 graduate students in our two Masters programs in Bioinformatics and Environmental Science. GSoLS is known for high-quality education, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and excellent research and expertise in target areas including bioinformatics, computational biology, earth system and environmental science, biotechnology and STEM education.

The RIT College of Science offers 13 undergraduate programs and 14 graduate programs including 4 PhD and 17 BS/MS programs. The College has established an inclusive community that embraces social justice and equity among our education, research, and the scientific community at large.

Our students benefit from the intersection of science and technology at RIT, including access and training with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities starting in their first year at RIT. As one of the top external grant-funded colleges on campus, the College of Science gives students unrivaled opportunities to engage in real-world research with supportive faculty mentors. Our alumni stand out from their peers at Cornell, MIT, Harvard, Regeneron, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic, just to name a few.

Job Summary

The College of Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology invites applicants for a project assistant under the supervision of Dr. Christy Tyler.

The candidate will join an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and growing plastic pollution research and education team. The successful candidate will serve as the project assistant for the RIT portion of the recently funded P01 Lake Ontario Center for Microplastic and Human Health, a collaborative Center at RIT and the University of Rochester supported by the National Institutes for Environmental Health Sciences (NIH) and the National Science Foundation's Ocean and Human Health Program. Responsibilities include assisting with field and laboratory research, project administration, and community engagement. The research activities will focus on climate-driven input, transport, and fate of plastic debris in the Lake Ontario watershed and nearshore region.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will have background and some experience in research, including both field and laboratory work.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in plastic pollution research. Successful candidates will be creative and innovative problem solvers with excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work independently. We anticipate funding this position for five years. The initial appointment will be for one year, with potential for renewal contingent on availability of funding and performance.