Microalgae Production Lead or Microalgae Technician

Job Details

Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) is seeking a Microalgae Production Lead or Technician (level will be determined based on experience, technical expertise, and leadership capacity) to join our team at the Kenneth K. Chew Center for Research and Restoration (Chew Center), operated at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Manchester Research Station in Manchester, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula. 

The position is responsible for the cultivation, maintenance, and monitoring of microalgae cultures to support hatchery production, research, and restoration. This role ensures reliable, high-quality algal feedstock through sterile technique, culture scaling, and environmental monitoring. 

Core Responsibilities

(Percentages are approximate and may fluctuate depending on the workload across the Chew Center)

1.  Microalgae Production & Culture Management – 70%:

• Maintain multiple strains of stock cultures using sterile transfer techniques
• Prepare sterile media and chemical solutions, including operation of an autoclave
• Produce harvest-scale algae using continuous bag and batch culture systems
• Distribute algae to support hatchery feeding operations
• Conduct daily monitoring of growth rates, densities, and overall culture health
• Maintain algae culture equipment, lab spaces, and systems
• Manage inventory and order supplies for production

Lead Level – Additional Responsibilities:

• Train and mentor staff, interns, and volunteers in culture techniques, sterile and safety protocols
• Oversee production planning and quality control
• Lead contamination response and culture troubleshooting
• Refine SOPs and improve production efficiency

1. Husbandry Support for Olympia oyster production – 10%:

• Assist with broodstock, larval, and juvenile culture systems (winter – spring)
• Support spat-on-shell production and inventory
• Participate in broodstock collection and intake
• Assist with transport of oysters for restoration outplanting

1. Facilities & Systems Maintenance – 10%:

• Maintain water treatment and life-support systems, including filters, pumps, heaters, and heat exchangers 
• Clean, repair, and replace plumbing and culture system components 
• Assist with construction and ongoing maintenance of culture infrastructure

1. Research & Field Operations Support – 5%

• Assist researchers and partners with data collection and monitoring
• Participate in intertidal fieldwork, including hiking on rocky beaches and mudflats
• Support year-round field operations conducted in variable weather, tidal, and daylight conditions
• Perform heavy lifting associated with field operations

1. Bull Kelp Restoration Program Support – 5%

• Provide operational support to PSRF’s Bull Kelp Habitat Restoration Program
• Assist with kelp laboratory operations and culture work as needed

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, environmental science, aquaculture, or related field; or 4 years of equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience working in an aquaculture, laboratory, or hatchery setting.
• Experience with microalgae culturing and sterile transfer protocols.
• Understanding of biosecurity principles, contamination prevention, detection, and mitigation in algal cultures.
• Strong interest in marine ecosystems, aquaculture, environmental restoration, and conservation.
• Ability to perform specialized laboratory tasks for technical or diagnostic purposes.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to follow detailed protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) while ensuring quality control standards are met.
• Strong record keeping and data management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team, contributing to an inclusive and accessible work environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to perform accurate data recording.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers and related data management software.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Federal Facility Requirement: Must be a U.S. citizen, as work is conducted at a federal facility. Successful candidates will be required to pass a federal background investigation, possess a valid REAL ID or other acceptable federal ID (e.g., a passport) and obtain government security clearance prior to beginning employment at the Chew Center. Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with marine or aquatic organism care or culture, and/or marine aquaculture; familiarity with relevant marine taxonomy is a plus. 
• Knowledge of animal husbandry methods and techniques, including animal identification and breeding; experience with laboratory animal research and data collection protocols.
• Demonstrated experience with microscopy and standard laboratory equipment, operations, and sterilization procedures; Knowledge of lab safety and chemical handling.
• Experience leading or supervising teams, interns, volunteers, or junior staff.
• Mechanically inclined with experience using hand and power tools; ability to assist with building, maintaining, and troubleshooting culture systems, plumbing, pumps, and hatchery equipment, including routine repairs.

Contact Information

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To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter (both required) to hiring@restorationfund.org by March 5, 2026. Questions regarding this position should be directed to Elsa Schwartz, Deputy Director, at elsa@restorationfund.org.