Zooplankton Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LABORATORY RESEARCH ASSISTANT at Point Blue Conservation Science 

Location: Petaluma, CA

Duration: One year (Anticipated start date will be September 21, 2026, although start and end dates may be negotiable)

Deadline to Apply: Open until Filled

Position Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week), Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Compensation and Benefits:

 $23.15 per hour. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staff and 75% for dependents. Other benefits include life insurance, long- and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans as well as time off benefits. We offer furnished housing in Petaluma (approximately 3 miles from the office), and a housing cost of $131.18 per pay period (which is bi-weekly) will be deducted from your paycheck to cover utilities and internet. 

About Point Blue:

Point Blue Conservation Science is a growing and internationally renowned non-profit with over 160 staff and scientists based in Petaluma, California. Founded in 1965 as Point Reyes Bird Observatory, our mission and programs have evolved over time to include a broad range of conservation activity, from restoration to environmental education to innovative work in the field of regenerative agriculture.  We have a proven track record of scientific excellence.

We are committed to removing barriers based on racial, gender, cultural, and other factors and believe that equal representation is essential to the success of Point Blue’s mission and vision. We seek and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams.

Position Description: 

We are seeking a Laboratory Research Assistant for marine predator diet studies, zooplankton research, data-related tasks, and outreach activities at our Petaluma, California Headquarters.

Our studies determine size class and species composition of prey consumed by seabirds and California sea lions, and we examine krill and their relationships with seabirds and other top-predator populations in the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. 

Main laboratory duties include: Identifying otoliths and other fish parts from diet samples (regurgitated pellets and fecal samples) of the Brandt’s cormorant, California least tern, and California sea lion; identifying zooplankton taxa and age classes from diet samples (regurgitations) of the Cassin’s auklet; preparing zooplankton samples and identifying, weighing, and measuring krill, decapods, and other important zooplankton groups; collecting species composition and size data on prey specimens dropped on a California least tern colony in San Francisco Bay; entering and proofing data; and helping to compile information from 50+ years of seabird studies on the Farallon Islands. 

Other duties include: Assisting with the bi-monthly Farallon Island patrol runs, which includes packing and transporting supplies to/from local marinas, and keeping patrol run containers clean and organized; participating in online outreach activities (mainly Instagram and Facebook Live events) and in-person events at local museums and community colleges; and training and supervising seasonal interns and laboratory volunteers. There may be limited opportunities for field work, such as participating in nest surveys of an endangered California least tern colony in San Francisco Bay (duties include walking through colony with permitted biologists, marking nests, collecting data, and collecting diet samples to be analyzed in the lab), and potentially participating in at-sea surveys in the Gulf of the Farallones (duties include assisting in net tows, collecting hydrographic data, and conducting seabird and marine mammal surveys). 

Qualifications: 

• Preference will be given to candidates who have a degree in biology or related field and prior laboratory research experience.
• Applicants should enjoy working independently and have plenty of patience for long hours spent looking through a scope to identify cryptic fish ear bones and scales, little marine bugs, and contorted, dried-up fish chips. 
• Must have your own transportation method to/from the office since transportation is not provided. 

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.

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