Looking to be part of a research team working in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed?  Looking for experience in a wide variety of ecological,
biogeochemical, and geomorphic research?  Looking to hone your research
skills in the field and in the laboratory?  The Wetland Ecosystem Ecology &
Biogeochemistry Lab of the US Geological Survey is hiring a full-time,
temporary technician to be a part of our team during the summer of 2012.  
The technician will assist with research on how sea level rise and land use
change affect transport of sediment and nutrients from watersheds to
estuaries. 

Job duties include collecting sediment core samples, managing environmental
monitoring equipment, and performing surveys of river and floodplain
morphology.  In the laboratory, the technician will process and characterize
sediment samples for a variety of parameters, including chemical analysis of
carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and preparation of samples for isotope
analysis. Field work will involve travel by small boat to sites in Maryland
and Virginia.  The position is based in Reston, Virginia at the USGS
National Center. 

Applicants must demonstrate careful and precise laboratory practices and
have completed introductory course work in chemistry and/or geology.  The
applicant should be comfortable working in remote settings in hot
conditions, lifting loads of 30 lbs, and traversing challenging terrain by
foot.  The applicant must be enrolled at least half time as an undergraduate
student and have completed at least two years at a degree-granting
institution.  Please send your resume and transcripts (unofficial is
acceptable) with names of two references to Dr. Scott Ensign
([log in to unmask]); application must be submitted by 10 March 2012 and a
successful candidate will be chosen by 1 April 2012.  Applicants should be
available to begin work by 1 June 2012 for a period of approximately 8
weeks.  This is a GS-4 position with an hourly wage of $14.59; the position
does not include health benefits.