Conservation Genetics Lab Coordinator

**_Taking action for the ocean today, so we can all flourish._**

**ROLE OVERVIEW**
- Ocean Wise is a globally focused conservation organization on a mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Through research, education, direct-action conservation and field projects, we empower communities to take action for ocean health. We’re focused on tackling three major ocean challenges: overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change. Ocean Wise is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with staff across Canada and initiatives around world. We deliver our work through six initiatives: Arctic, Plastics, Fisheries, Seaforestation, Youth, and Whales._
- The Whales Initiative is a core initiative of the Conservation Division of Ocean Wise. The Whales Initiative comprises approximately 20 regular staff members all of whom have post-secondary degrees in science and are engaged in some aspect of applied conservation research. The initiative also employs 5-8 graduate students, undergraduate students, paid interns, and contractors at any given time. Staff in this program conduct projects on conservation genetics, marine mammal health and nutritional status, citizen science-based monitoring of trends in marine mammal abundance and distribution via the Ocean Wise Sightings Network (OWSN), photo-identification-based monitoring of killer and humpback whales, marine mammal vessel strike and disturbance mitigation, impacts and mitigation of anthropogenic underwater noise and assessment and mitigation of the impact of toxic contaminants on marine mammals._
- The Conservation Genetics Lab, based out of the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre in West Vancouver, focuses on conducting novel conservation-oriented molecular genetics-based research on marine biodiversity and ecosystems. There are several projects currently ongoing, including eDNA monitoring of cetaceans in Northern BC, assessing fish biodiversity assemblages within new kelp beds, and generation of cetacean population demographic data via flukeprint eDNA. The Whales Initiative is seeking a Conservation Genetics Laboratory Coordinator to work on a variety of molecular-based projects focused on advancing the field of non-invasive research for marine biodiversity monitoring and environmental protection. The incumbent will be responsible for _performing various molecular analyses, analyzing data, managing specimen and supplies inventories, ensuring that laboratory equipment is maintained and calibrated, and assisting with report generation in collaboration with Research Managers and Senior Managers._
- _**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Actively participates in the successful execution and reporting of findings of conservation-oriented lab research projects on marine mammals by**:

- Extracting DNA and RNA, conducting genetic analyses and interpreting data;
- Summarizing data results for dissemination to Research Managers and Senior Managers;
- Assisting students, technicians and other genetics lab users by teaching techniques and troubleshooting;
- Supervising projects of students with respect to technical advice and experimental design;
- Consulting with external collaborators to coordinate sample shipping/receiving and dissemination of data results;
- Working closely with Research Managers and Research Scientists from the Cetacean Health & Monitoring Program (CHM) and Ocean Pollution (OP) Program to complete genetic-based project deliverables;
- Ensures that all genetics lab users follow safety standards and procedures;
- Representing Ocean Wise on the PSEC Health and Safety Committee and Site Management Committee;
- Oversees the use, maintenance and purchase of laboratory equipment and supplies;
- Contributing to scientific papers intended for publication;
- Writing blogs, newsletter articles and material for public distribution;

**Provides administrative assistance to the Whales Initiative by**:

- Monitoring lab expenses and inventories;
- Maintaining files and databases;
- Assisting in developing and maintaining contacts with representatives of a variety of organizations, agencies and institutions.

**Consciously improves the overall organization and its processes by**:

- Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations through support of EMS protocols;
- Maintaining and supporting organizational safety standards;
- Abiding by all organizational policies and procedures;
- Performing other duties of a similar nature or level.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education, Experience and Certifications Required**
- MSc (or equivalent) with minimum 2 years’ relevant experience **OR** BSc (or equivalent) with minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in molecular genetics, environmental DNA, population genetics or a related field;
- Experience conducting laboratory studies in molecular genetics;
- Experience working with environmental DNA (eDNA) and/or other highly fragmented molecular samples;
- Record of publishing scientific manuscripts in