Nature Blog Network

Saturday, August 9, 2008

KevvyKev Got a JobbyJob

So alot of people have wondering about my job search status since I announced my intentions back in March. Its been a huge struggle. Several interviews, several let-downs, several interesting connections made. Job searching is very humbling experience. There were many times I was very frustrated, scared, worried about the future of my family and where I will be living. I have to thank my wife the most for being the perfect companion through this journey, listening to my pains, helping me draw plans A-ZZ in case I couldn't find work before my funding runs out (in 5 days nonetheless!). (If anyone is curious, our back up plan was to move to the North Carolina Research Triangle Park area and seek out work in science communication). My parents and brothers were also very supportive at this time. So many people were there for me in the back channels offering advice, emotional support, sending me job advertisements, helping me network, seeking out opportunities for me within their organizations and listening to me. You know who your friends are when you are down on your luck and I can't repay their kindness enough. Especially when many these are individuals I have never met in person or only briefly. Many others are good friends. I really would like to thank, in no particular order, Craig and Peter, Eric, Miriam, Rick, Mark P, Karen and Peter, Dave, Jason, RPM, John W, Jim, Brian, Ed, PhysioProf, DrugMonkey, Liz, Romunov, Michael, Aydin, Mike, Abel, Chris M, Sheril, Carl, Emmett, Jives, Richard, Jonathan, Jeremy, Ginny, Andrew, Bora, Adrian, Kate, Martin, Janet, Tara, Pal and Mark H, Sandra, Anton, Revere, Razib, Mark C-C, Greg L, Chris R, Grrl Scientist, Shelley and Steve, Mike D, Orac, Sciencewoman and Alice, John L, Josh, Zuska, Chad, Evil Monkey, the Fisher Lab past and present, Dimitra, Andre, Josh H, Eleca, the Penn State biology and ecology graduate students, and all my friends in State College. I'm sorry if I have forgotten anyone! All these people, and more, helped me out in some way, either a small contribution or large, it is extremely appreciated!

So what is my new job? Its awesome is what it is! My family and I will be relocating to beautiful Beaufort, North Carolina on the "Crystal Coast". I will be working as a research technician at the new Marine Conservation Molecular Facility of Duke University's Marine Lab. The project will involve studying the population structure of several deep-sea hydrothermal vent invertebrates with unique life-history characteristics. There is also lots of room for me to work on other exciting projects, but this will be focus for the next year or so. It is part of an environmental impact assessment to measure the effect that deep-sea mining off of Papua New Guinea (and yes, its that very company, indeed) would have on disrupting the population connectivity at this unique vent community. My duties, as outlined in my offer letter include, but not limited to be

"responsible for molecular genetics and laboratory benchwork, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, DNA cloning, electrophoresis, histology, and fluorescent in situ hybridization."
Quite a change for me, but I am very excited to learn new techniques and work more intimately in the fields of molecular evolution and population genetics. I have to find a cool lab coat to wear!

The amazing people I will be working with are smart, wonderful, enthusiastic and excited about the projects (plus they drink, a prerequisite to consideration for me). Which makes me excited to be a part of the projects going on at Duke Marine Lab.

As such, this will be a busy month for with finishing up and moving. Writing will be light till I get back on my feet again in early September. So please don't go away, you should know by now the Eric is just as capable, if not more, to bring you spineless goodness straight from the gastrovascular cavity!

26 comments:

  1. Congrats! It's good to see you in an interesting position.. and earning money doesn't hurt one little bit ;)

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  2. Dude, send me pics of the critters you have described or help describe (or just your favs) and I will put them on a labcoat (set off against deep sea blue in fact) using batik and shibori as a congrats!

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  3. Congratulations!

    *breaks out champagne*

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  4. Excellent news! It sounds like a great job, although jobs can be over rated at times...

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  5. The Crystal Coast - one of my favorite places on earth. Lived there for 8 years before moving to ATL.

    Congrats on the job, even if it IS with my arch enemy, Dook!

    Check out the unspoiled beaches of Cape Lookout if you get a chance to come up for air from your deep sea thermal vents! :-)

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  6. Dude, that was very nice of you to thank people! Good luck on the new job!

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  7. Jobby is English English slang for a turd. Let's hope it's not a jobby job.

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  8. Congratulations, Kevvy!

    Finally moving to a state with a coastline I see - good for you, especially with that marine interest of yours :)

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  9. great news KZ! Way to navigate an unbelievably stressful time!

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  10. Very cool! Congrats!

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  11. Great stuff... congratulations. I know how frustrating it can be looking for work. I'm currently searching desperately for a postdoc. It is perhaps one of the worst feelings in the world: the persistent anxiety and uncertainty coupled with the fear that all your hard work has been for nothing... it must be a great feeling to finally land a position. I wish you all the best... good luck and enjoy!

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  12. Congratulations!

    But...

    How dare your writing be light.

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  13. Thanks a ton everyone!

    Sam, Hang in there! Its tough. I've thought about abandoning science all together and starting a bed and breakfast or local/organic food cafe with live music (plans T and FE, respectively) or god forbid go to work for John Deere like the rest of family and move back to the midwest!!! (plan ZY).

    I didn't mention that I had been looking for work since March this year. So it took 5 months for me (masters level work).

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  14. Jives, I meant my writing will be light during the transition period this month. It'll pick up again once I get settled in, don't worry!

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  15. Congrats! I am so excited for you!!
    Raleigh/Durham area is gorgeous. I have some friends at Duke (I used to live in the area), so if you need help finding a place to live in the area, let me know and I am sure we can hook you up!
    Best Wishes! Sounds like great research!!

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  16. Thanks Rock Doc, I will actually be stationed at the Duke Marine Lab which on the coast in Beaufort, NC. :) even better IMHO

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  17. Ulp! I hate to ask what plan "ZZ" was...

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  18. Congratulations! This is certainly good news.

    Looking at the job description, I'll offer one bit of unsolicited advice: make sure they let you have a set of ergonomic pipettors. It'll make a huge difference in your quality of life.

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  19. Oh, wait does that mean our very own KevvyKev could be one of the next members of the Pipetting Boy Band?

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  20. Rock on! Congratulations!

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  21. Congrats bro! Knew ya had it ;) Make sure you get a place with lots of extra rooms heh heh

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  22. YAY! Welcome neighbor!

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  23. Sorry for the late post but congrats. Man Maybe you getting a job was a sign that I just got a job too! Its not marine or invert work, but fish is good enough for me.
    Man I thought getting a job with just a BS in marine bio was hard enough, was hoping that people with a PhD had it a little easier
    Hope you enjoy NC!

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  24. Good for people to know.

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