[NHCOLL-L:1558] job opportunity

[Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center]

The following announcement describes a position available in Charleston,
South Carolina.  Please feel free to circulate it among colleagues and post
it where appropriate.

Appointment:

Invertebrate Zoologist/Systematist at the Assistant Marine Scientist level
in the newly established Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center



Location:

The Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center (SERTC) is located in the Marine
Resources Research Institute at Fort Johnson, in Charleston, SC
(http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/marine/mrri/mrri.htm). The Institute is part of
the Marine Resources Division of the South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources.  Institute staff interact routinely and extensively with staff at
other educational and research facilities in the Fort Johnson complex,
including The University of Charleston's Grice Marine Laboratory, NOAA's
Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Medical University of
South Carolina's Marine Biomedical Program, and the Hollings Marine
Laboratory.  The successful applicant may apply for an adjunct faculty
appointment in the Graduate Program in Marine Biology at the University of
Charleston.



The Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center is being established to provide a
regional focus for developing taxonomic expertise and skills, and the
infrastructure to support the taxonomic endeavors of the scientific
community in the southeastern United States.  The Center will serve as a
training facility, a specimen repository, and a venue for a taxonomic
library and searchable database of catalogued specimens and taxonomic
literature.  The primary goal of the Center is to become a locus of
information resources that will benefit regional scientists, students,
regulators, private businesses and the public.  A more detailed explanation
of the initial objectives of the Center and a description of the facilities
at Fort Johnson is available at
http://water3.dnr.state.sc.us/dnr/marine/img/sertc_scope_of_work.pdf



Job Description and Duties:

Under supervision of the Principle Investigator, the successful applicant
will direct the daily operations of the Southeastern Regional Taxonomic
Center and oversee systematic components of the SERTC, in conjunction with
other staff and outside subcontractors.  The employee will coordinate
activities of the Center to ensure the completion of project objectives,
manage project expenditures, assist in development of taxonomic programs,
prepare reports on project accomplishments, and develop funding proposals
for the SERTC.  The employee will participate in education and outreach
activities, serve as the Center's contact for visiting scientists, and
supervise training of curatorial assistants or student research assistants.
The employee will represent the Center and promote its activities among
staff of institutions, universities, and museums throughout the region.



In addition to project management duties, the employee will conduct and
supervise routine collection management and curatorial duties, including the
acquisition, identification, and care of specimens; maintenance of a
database of catalogued specimens; tracking of loaned material; and
development of a taxonomic reprint collection and literature database.
Taxonomic or systematic research and publication is expected to constitute
approximately 15-20% of the employee's assigned duties.



Qualifications and Experience:

A PhD. in marine biology or related field, with expertise in marine or
estuarine invertebrate systematics and taxonomy, is required.  Familiarity
with the fauna of the western north Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is
preferred, as is an emphasis on taxonomic skill with one or more of the
following taxa: annelids, mollusks, echinoderms, or crustaceans (however,
candidates specializing in other marine or estuarine taxa from other
geographic regions are also encouraged to apply). The candidate must possess
and maintain a record of peer-reviewed scientific publication.  One to three
years of post-doctoral employment in taxonomic research and/or biological
collection curation and management is desired, along with some knowledge of
bioinformatics.  Previous employment should demonstrate a high level of
interpersonal and supervisory skills, sound professional judgement, good
written and oral communication skills, and the ability to cooperate with
other scientists and technical staff.  Computer skills should include
familiarity with PC-based computers and Microsoft Office software
(particularly MS ACCESS), collection management software, statistical and
scientific graphing software, and standard Internet browsing and email
management software.  Some familiarity with web-page development is
desirable.  The candidate must be able to qualify to receive a SC driver's
license, and should be able to operate an outboard motorboat, including
trailer transport, for field collection activities.  Fluency in English is a
requirement.



Benefits:

This is a federally funded (10/1/01 to 9/30/03), full-time position.  It is
a temporary grant position, and employment beyond the stated grant period is
contingent upon satisfactory performance and future funding approval.
Salary range is $40-45K, depending upon level of qualification and
experience.  Benefits include health and dental insurance and the option to
participate in the SC State Retirement System and deferred compensation
plans.



Anticipated Starting Date:

Contingent upon receipt of suitable applications, the position will be
filled as soon as possible, but no later than July 31, 2002



To Apply:

For full consideration, the items listed below should be submitted to the
following address no later than May 31, 2002:



            Office of Human Resources

            South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

            P.O. Box 12559

            Charleston, SC  29422-2559

            (843) 762-5021     fax (843) 762-5001



1)     a cover letter that includes a statement of research interests and
career goals

2)     a Curriculum Vitae

3)     three professional letters of recommendation that include current
contact information for the sources

4)     a completed State Application (applications are available online at
http://www.state.sc.us/jobs/application ; indicate on the application form
that the position applied for is the "Assistant Marine Scientist with SERTC"
; do not submit the application by email, rather send it, along with first
three listed items, to the above address)



Contact Information:

For additional information regarding application for this position, contact:

Dr. Elizabeth L. Wenner

Marine Resources Research Institute

P.O. Box 12559-2559

Charleston, SC  29422-2559

(843) 762-5050   email wennere at mrd.dnr.state.sc.us





All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the USA.



The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is an EEO/AA employer and
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, disability, or age.  Direct all inquiries to the Office of
Human Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC  29202






Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center
Marine Resources Research Institute
PO Box 12559
Charleston,  SC 29422-2559
sertc at mrd.dnr.state.sc.us
843-762-5023