Research Assistant, Plastic Lab

**ROLE OVERVIEW**
- Reporting to the Microplastics Solutions Manager, the Research Assistant will perform a variety of activities in support of the microplastic pollution research agenda of the Ocean Wise Conservation Association (Ocean Wise). They will join a multi-disciplinary scientific team working in partnership with academia, government agencies, industry, and citizen scientists to identify solutions for ocean plastic pollution and support their implementation._
- This is a support position for a variety of innovative projects with sophisticated research methods._
- Key areas of responsibility include:_
- _ Day-to-day management of experiment protocols, for laundry microfiber shedding research and other ongoing projects;_
- _ planning and coordination of field work;_
- _ processing and analysis of microplastics in diverse environmental and biological matrices (e.g., seawater, stormwater, wastewater, biosolids, zooplankton, mussels);_
- _ optimization of laboratory protocols to sample, extract and analyze microplastics;_
- _ data entry and management; and,_
- _ data quality assurance/control (QA/QC)._
- In addition, the Research Assistant will be expected to contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, reports, stakeholder activities and outreach materials of the Plastics Lab (e.g., infographics, posters, webinars, workshops). This role is a full-time position._

**_
About the Plastics Lab_**
- The Plastics Lab is Ocean Wise’s specialist microplastic pollution research facility. The lab is based _
- at the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre (PSEC) in West Vancouver, with a secondary laboratory at Annacis Research and Events Centre (AREC) on Annacis Island, Delta that is set up specifically for microfiber shedding testing._
- The Plastics Lab is focused on conducting solutions-oriented science towards Ocean Wise’s conservation objectives. In particular, the lab team conducts applied research in material sciences, ecology, toxicology, oceanography, and civil engineering to investigate critical issues relating to marine microplastics (such as sources, transport and fate), evaluate innovations, and co-create solutions._
- Key areas of research and expertise include:_
- _ Microfiber shedding in home laundry, seawater weathering effects on têxtiles._
- _ Microplastics in home laundry, municipal wastewater, seawater, zooplankton, mussels, fish, and marine mammals._
- _ Microplastic pollution in the Arctic in collaboration with Inuit and Inuvialuit communities and government agencies._
- _ Spectral analysis of microplastics, with specialty in microfibers, using a high-resolution Agilent 620/670 FTIR to identify polymer identities._
- _ Development of methods for efficient and reproducible extraction, isolation, and imaging microplastics in diverse environmental sample types, including wastewater, combined sewer overflows, freshwater, biota intestines, mussels, and sediments_.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Responsible for lab experiments related to microfibre shedding in home laundry**
- Following and developing protocols to reliably analyze sources of microfibre shedding
- Conducting laboratory experiments under controlled protocols with attention to detail
- Preparing laboratory reports and summarizing findings.
- Developing data repositories, archiving the data, and maintaining accurate records.
- Checking the reliability and accuracy of work done and reporting challenges and threats to the research team.

**Responsible for sampling, isolation, and characterization of microplastics by**:

- Characterizing microplastics using light microscopy and image analysis software and preparing samples for Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometry.
- Analyzing microplastics with the FTIR and performing QA/QC according to established protocols.
- Developing/optimizing methods for microplastic sampling and analysis.
- Preparing laboratory reports and summarizing findings.
- Developing data repositories, archiving the data, and maintaining accurate records.
- Checking the reliability and accuracy of work done and reporting challenges and threats to the research team.

**Contributes to the preparation of grant proposals, scientific publications, and outreach materials. Tasks may include**:

- Reviewing and summarizing scientific literature.
- Data analysis and result visualization/consolidation.
- Work with citizen scientists and the Ocean Wise Education teams to develop infographics, kits, and video content on plastic pollution.

**Consciously desires to improve the organization and its processes by**:

- Conducting scientifically rigorous and reproducible sample analysis and method development.
- Regularly communicating timelines and details of work done.
- Identifying areas of improvement in laboratory/organizational processes.
- Ensuring compliance in all operations and policies, including methods and laboratory equipment.
- Carrying out any other related duties as required
- Promptly aiding in Eme