New York Sea Grant Scholar – Graduate Research Assistantship Available
Dr. Katherine Alben, Asst Prof, Dept Environmental Health Toxicology, SUNY-Albany
A graduate student is sought to fill a position as New York Sea Grant Scholar and conduct
research on carotenoids in specimens collected from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This position
is open immediately: the NY Sea Grant Scholar would receive a full-time graduate student
stipend for at least two years, 2/1/04 – 2/1/06. Ideally, the student’s research and course-work
would satisfy requirements for a graduate degree in the Dept Environmental Health and
Toxicology at SUNY-Albany.
The goal of the student’s research for New York Sea Grant would be to determine the carotenoid
composition of tissues from benthic invertebrates and fish, primarily to deduce their food-web
relationships. From this information, it is of interest to identify trophic pathways for outbreaks
of type E botulism in fish and piscivorous birds of the Great Lakes. Individuals are sought who
demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm, passion, and curiosity in their work, and who have a
genuine professional interest in the chemistry and molecular biology of environmental and
human health.
The Sea Grant Scholar will be trained in sample preparation and use of instrumentation at the
Wadsworth Center (www.wadsworth.org) for quantitative analysis of carotenoids, primarily
high-pressure liquid chromatography, coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometric
detectors. Graduate-level courses would be taken as needed to fulfill degree requirements and
obtain the technical background that is necessary to conduct research on carotenoids. The
minimum commitment to research at the Wadsworth Center would be 20 h per week during the
academic year, and full-time in the summer.
Candidates for the Sea Grant Scholar position should have received an undergraduate degree
with a major in chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences, with additional course-work in
mathematics. Cross-disciplinary training at an advanced level in one or more of these areas
would be beneficial. Previous research or work experience in these fields is also of interest.
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory. Proficiency in basic computer skills
(Excel, Word) is required, as well as the ability to master software for data acquisition and
statistical interpretations (SAS).
Interested students should send, by email if possible,
i. a cover letter, briefly stating why they would like to be considered for this project,
ii. their CV, including a summary of undergraduate and graduate science courses and grades
iii. names/email addresses of 3 references
to:
Dr. Katherine Alben
[Dept. Environ. Health Toxicology, SUNY-Albany]
Wadsworth Center, New York State Dept Health
Empire State Plaza, PO Box 509
Albany, NY 12201-0509
518-473-0774
alben@wadsworth.org
January 2004