Hawai‘i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the ‘okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.

Description

Job Summary:

HPU seeks a temporary full-time Research Coordinator to support the execution of a funded research project with the Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR). The Research Coordinator is expected to take direction from CMDR principal investigators and supervisory staff with moderate supervision. The position is secure until August 23, 2024 with the possibility of extension upon additional funding sources. The project entails trialing mechanical recycling processes with plastic marine debris. This position requires travel on Oahu for marine debris collection, transport, sorting, and processing. Position requires work in the laboratory as well as the field and at times the work is physically demanding. Must be willing to attend all required safety trainings.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school degree
• Some college courses in material science, chemistry, engineering, or related fields
• Experience following protocols, procedures, and safety measures in a research laboratory
• Driver’s license and clean driving record allowing the ability to drive between campuses and sampling locations daily in company vehicle, own transportation is also required
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in polymer science and/or chemistry instrumentation (e.g., FTIR, DSC, py-GC/MS, Raman)
• Knowledge of plastic recycling/converting processes
• Experience following protocols, procedures, and safety measures in a research laboratory
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU’s breaks, if necessary.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• This position will require driving responsibility for an HPU vehicle. Due to driving responsibilities, you must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with HPU’s Vehicle Driving policy.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting, pushing, and physically demanding work in outdoor conditions

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions:

1. Recycling Research (80%) will include but may not be limited to

• Collecting, receiving and transporting marine debris from removal organization partners and commercial fishers
• Offloading marine debris into a Plastic Recycling Research Facility
• Sorting marine debris by type and ultimately polymer
• Analyzing marine debris to identify the polymer using FTIR and/or DSC
• Entering data about marine debris into a large database
• Organizing a large sample archive and entering data into a database
• Brainstorming on mechanical recycling of the different stockpiles of debris polymers
• Trialing shredding of various debris types and polymers with industrial shredder
• Shipping samples of marine debris to collaborators for further testing of recycling processes
• Brainstorming on recycled plastic infrastructure products necessary and marketable in Hawaii
• Driving an HPU owned full-size pickup truck for project related tasks
• Drafting a written and oral report of the results at the end of the summer to CMDR lab mates
• Attending all required safety and training operations
• Maintaining a clean and uncluttered laboratory and facility

2. Laboratory and Outreach activities (15%)

• Assisting other summer projects in the CMDR chemistry laboratories (e.g. microplastic quantification, plastic additive quantification, microplastic reference material production, aging marine debris through chemical indicators)
• Participating in education and outreach activities

3. Performs other related duties as assigned (5%)

• Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments.

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

We seek talented and energetic people who thrive on challenge and innovation in supporting the mission and values of our university. HPU offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.