NIWC - Undergraduate Student III - PFAS In-Situ Stabilization Evaluations (Task No. 71-332604)

Overview

The hourly rate for this position is $19.67 for Undergraduate III and is non-negotiable.

This position is open until filled

Under direction, incumbents must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work.

This Statement of Work encompasses the need for the student services to provide technical and/or analytical support in the fields of Marine Biology, Oceanography, Biology, Engineering, and Chemistry towards the support of evaluation, sampling, and engineering related to the deployment of the NIWC-developed Remedy and Recontamination Assessment (RARA) array at Navy installations and corresponding field work and laboratory work. This technology allows for the deployment of bioassay organisms (e.g. crustaceans, worms, and clams) in-situ for evaluation of ecotoxicity and bioaccumulation to determine the efficacy of sorptive technologies to amend PFAS-impacted sediments.

Per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are widespread groundwater contaminants at Department of Navy sites. A variety of possible adsorbent in situ treatments have been suggested (e.g. GAC, colloidal carbon, biochar, Obsorb, etc.) to remediate impacted sediments, but many of these have not received sufficient scientific scrutiny for application at Navy facilities. This research aims to understand if in-situ stabilization is a viable strategy to remediate these impacted sites.

Responsibilities

The student contractor shall provide analytical and technical support in the following areas, as specified under individual task orders, to the work sponsor:

• Mobilizing and preparing equipment for upcoming deployments of RARA
• Improving RARA to allow for groundwater discharge from the bottom of the unit
• Assistance in running bench scale experiments to test sorbents and bioaccumulation following standard protocols.
• Assistance in processing samples and data collected for the RARA deployment
• Performing data analysis using Microsoft Excel and appropriate statistical software.
• Maintaining laboratory facilities (e.g. washing glassware, calibration and maintenance of water quality meters and seawater system) and test organisms/cultures.
• Conducting relevant literature searches pertaining to the studies and participating in report preparation.

Qualifications

Undergraduate Student 3: Must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work. The student must be at the Senior level and have experience in 100% of the task requirements and be able to accomplish 90% of the work independently. Is not required to be an SDSU Student.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements:

Area of Study: Majoring in Marine Biology, Biology, Engineering, Environmental Science and/or Chemistry (Sophomore or higher).

Desired Qualifications:

• Coursework in marine biology, statistics, chemistry, environmental science, electrical engineering and/or computer engineering
• Expertise with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and common statistical software.
• Interest and/or experience with designing environmental sampling equipment.
• Desire person with strong work ethic, detail oriented, and good communication skills.
• Students are available to work 20 hours per week preferred.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• This position will require the employee to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• The student will work primarily at NIWC Pacific, Bayside.
• Due to the regulations established by the Department of Defense, only US Citizens may qualify.
• This is a student position and is limited to working 20 hours per week.
• This position will remain open until filled.
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.