Join our team as Researcher II and support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environment Research Laboratory. You will be provide technical support for Great Lakes research projects through extensive field sampling aboard NOAA vessels (7-15 days monthly during field season), provide laboratory work including chemical handling and sample processing, and data collection following standard operating procedures. The role requires collaboration on project scheduling and reporting, maintenance of laboratory equipment and live organisms, and participation in meetings and presentations to support project leadership goals., ensuring comprehensive technical support for Great Lakes research projects to help project leaders achieve their research objectives and deliverables.

FWI has been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post in 2024 and 2025, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.

Work Schedule and Location: On-Site: This full-time on-site position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM EST at Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), 4840 S. State Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108-9719.

• Project Management & Coordination: In collaboration with project technical staff, develop project schedules, including milestones and deliverables, and track and report progress against project goals.
• Field Travel Requirements: Local Great Lakes field travel will be required from March to November approximately 7-15 days per month. Travel from December to March will be associated with meeting attendance with approximately 3 trips during the period.
• Equipment Deployment: Conduct deployment of a suite of sampling equipment on NOAA Vessels including but not limited to: rosette, niskin or similar equipment, aquatic sensors, box and piston corer's for sediment collection, phytoplankton and zooplankton tow nets.
• Water Sample Collection: Conduct water sample collection on NOAA Vessels using methods including pumps, flow through systems, on vessel filtering, and water sample preservation.
• Chemical Handling & Laboratory Safety: Ability to handle hazardous chemicals following all required safety protocols, take training and maintain a clean and sterile laboratory environment, maintain various types of laboratory equipment for experimental and field operations.
• Basic Laboratory Activities: Conduct basic laboratory activities including pipetting, autoclaving, weighing samples, making and maintaining growth media, developing chemical standards, and prepping samples and equipment for sample analysis.
• Research Support & Quality Assurance: Support the project lead(s) by conducting field and laboratory sample collection, processing and analysis, conducting field and laboratory experiments, and conducting general laboratory maintenance according to GLERL standard operating procedures. Follow all quality assurance standards and deliver data to the project lead or data manager. Review and update standard operating procedures as needed.
• Live Organism Maintenance: Maintaining live organisms, such as phytoplankton cultures and mussels for experimental and observational use.
• Data Management: On a continuing basis participate in data acquisition and data quality assurance following standard practices for data management.
• Meeting Participation & Documentation Support: Attend internal and external project planning and implementation meetings. Support the project lead via project product development, seasonal reporting, providing presentations for partners, and support development of technical documents and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Required: 

• Education: Minimum BS degree in ecology, biology, limnology, chemistry, marine sciences, or oceanography.
• Technical Experience: Experience with standard procedures for collection and processing of water samples for chemical, physical and biological parameters in both field and laboratory settings.
• Marine Experience: Must be able to do field work on marine vessels.
• Physical Requirements: Valid driver's license required and ability to lift and carry a 50lb load.
• Work Skills: Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a technical team, excellent laboratory skills, and strong interpersonal skills.

Desired: 

• Field & Laboratory Experience: Two or more years' experience working in field and laboratory systems in aquatic sciences.
• Marine Operations Experience: Two or more years' experience working at sea or on research vessels, including deployment and data processing of instrumentation.
• Chemical Safety: Familiarization with hazardous chemicals and the handling of such.
• Programming Skills: Familiarization with software systems using Python, R, and other necessary scripting languages to extract and process instrumentation derived data.

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.