note: this is a paid position, and separate from the courses listed as ‘research apprenticeships’ for autumn quarter. ~ MB adviser.

Employment Opportunity: Research Assistantship at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs (Friday Harbor, WA), at least twelve months full-time work beginning as soon as possible. Assistant will help with studies on larval biology, metamorphosis, settlement and juvenile growth in sea stars and sea urchins. This position is well suited for a recent college graduate, but applicants with a range of backgrounds will be considered.

The research involves predominantly issues connected to captive rearing of the sunflower star Pycnopodia helianthoides, whose populations have been devastated in recent years due to sea star wasting disease (SSWD). A second project examines sea urchin larvae: their responses to turbulence and their morphology as it relates to swimming performance.

After a period of paid training, the assistant will work with current research assistant Fleur Anteau, and both assistants will be responsible for daily care of larvae and juveniles (water changes, growth monitoring and feeding), as well as careful monitoring and care of the 28 adult sunflower stars collected in 2019. They will also help in intertidal field collections of food for the various life stages of stars. AAUS certified (“scientific”) divers are encouraged to apply, in which case the assistant could be poised to help with possible return of some of our adults to their collection locale at an unspecified date, and do some reconnaissance dives with an eye towards juvenile reintroductions to the wild as soon as Summer 2022. Diving is not a requirement for the position.

The assistant will work with Anteau and me on a series of experiments related to behavioral and morphological observations of and growth studies on larvae and juveniles. In the process, they will learn a variety of techniques and help with construction of observation chambers, juvenile culture vessels, etc. They will also have the opportunity to pursue related projects of interest.

Compensation is $22/hr plus benefits at 40 hrs per week for 12 months from the starting date.

Continued work after this 12 month period will be contingent upon our continued success with the sunflower star breeding and receiving additional funding.

For more information about my research and publications, see my website (staff.washington.edu/hodin/).

Please send a short letter of interest and a CV (as well as any questions) to me (Jason Hodin) at larvador@uw.edu. Please include the names and contact information (email or phone) for one or two people who can speak to your qualifications.