Overview
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences invites applications for a Research Associate/Data Manager to contribute to efforts to manage and utilize chemical, functional and genomic data from algal strains. The person in this position will be responsible for processing, organizing, and managing data generated to add value to the National Center for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) algae culture collection housed at the laboratory (www.ncma.bigelow.org). The person will be supervised by the NCMA Director to co-define and co-develop project specific goals and execute tasks. This is a full-time (37.5hours/week) position with an ideal start date on/after September 15, 2025. Starting salary for this position is $26.54 per hour, which scales with experience, with a generous benefits package including health care, retirement contribution, and paid time off.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Applicants must hold a BS with >3 years of experience and/or MSc.
2. Applicants must clearly demonstrate experience in advanced handling of high volumes and diverse forms of data. Preference is for demonstrated experience in working with metabolomic data. Experience can be in a field of biological, chemical or other environmental sciences as long as it is clear that the experience demonstrates advanced data skills.
3. Applicants must have demonstrated ability to assess and analyze generated data including ability to gain new knowledge from external sources related to assessment/analysis of the data. This also includes a demonstrated ability to read and interpret scientific literature as relevant to the data assessment/analysis task.
4. Applicants must have exceptional oral and written communication skills. This includes, but is not limited to, ability to document daily activities, ability to coordinate communication with internal and external groups; and ability to contribute to preparation of project reports.
5. Applicants must have a high level of self-confidence and demonstrated strong organization skills with superior attention to detail.
Responsibilities:
The person in this position will be responsible for tasks co-developed with the Project PI, including, but not limited to the following. Note that the fraction of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) is only an approximation, and may vary in time depending upon the status of associated projects.
● (0.05 FTE) Engage with technicians generating specific datasets to ensure efficient flow of information to the data-processing pipeline;
● (0.25 FTE) Process algal metabolomic data (e.g., mass spectrometry, raman spectroscopy) through standardized and existing pipelines (e.g., GNPS, instrument-specific analytical tools);
● (0.25 FTE) Organize and manage processed data in a manner that is accessible to ensure efficient use by internal and external stakeholders through a controlled gateway;
● (0.2 FTE) Contribute to extracting ‘knowledge’ from the organized data;
● (0.1 FTE) Conduct draft analysis of metabolomic data in response to stakeholder questions/requests;
● (0.05 FTE) Integrate ancillary data streams with the primary metabolomic data stream to generate value-added knowledge;
● (0.05 FTE) Contribute to annual project reporting;
● (0.05 FTE) Contribute to content for various project-related documents and for outward facing project-related websites;
Other Responsibilities/Requirements:
● Position will likely involve exposure to information on proprietary research efforts and requires heightened sensitivities to intellectual property protections.
● Reporting any potential or perceived violations of applicable laws, rules, or Laboratory policies to the immediate supervisor, Executive Director, the Human Resources Officer, or the Vice Presidents for Research or Administration and Operations as appropriate.
● All employees at Bigelow must adhere to institutional policies and procedures as outlined in the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Handbook.
Apply
Applicants should submit the following to our online application portal:
For full consideration, the application should be received by 11:59 PM EDT Friday, August 8, 2025. Review of applicants will begin immediately thereafter. The search will continue until the position is filled.
Individuals seeking more information about this position or needing to request an accommodation, please contact [email protected] or (207) 315-2567, ext. 119.
Working at Bigelow Laboratory
Bigelow Laboratory is an inclusive community of scientists from around the world. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences strives to maintain an environment that allows our employees to flourish through respectful, inclusive, and equitable treatment of others. We are committed to supporting each other as individuals worthy of respect. Bigelow Laboratory is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.