Lab Manager, Aquaculture

Job Details

Biohub is seeking an Aquaculture Lab Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of its aquatic model-organism husbandry facility, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant husbandry of zebrafish and other aquatic species that underpin the Imaging Grand Challenge's research programs.

This role oversees the aquaculture system end to end — water quality, recirculating system performance, fish health and colony management, equipment readiness, and regulatory/EH&S compliance — and works closely with researchers, scientists, and platform teams to ensure the facility reliably supports ongoing and upcoming experiments.

This position is well-suited for a candidate with hands-on aquaculture or aquatic-model-organism facility management experience who can plan and execute semi-complex laboratory activities independently, translate operational objectives into concrete plans, and mentor junior lab staff.

What You'll Do
 

• Plans, coordinates, and manages the aquaculture facility's day-to-day activities; manages schedules and resources to ensure efficient, uninterrupted operation of the aquatic facility.
• Works with researchers and scientists to understand laboratory and husbandry resource needs for the aquaculture environment; collects and organizes requests for additional equipment, feed, and supplies, and obtains requested items.
• Ensures readiness and availability of all aquaculture resources — including recirculating water systems, tanks, filtration and monitoring equipment, feed, and reagent chemicals; manages inventory of supplies and recommends efficiencies.
• Manages equipment moves and maintenance (e.g., tank cleaning, filter changes, system defrosting/descaling, sensor calibration) to keep the facility running at expected capacity.
• Works with EH&S consultants and/or Platform Managers, or independently, to develop and implement EH&S solutions for aquaculture-specific safety challenges (e.g., water chemistry, biosafety, waste handling); monitors equipment and activities to ensure adherence to safety protocols in compliance with federal, state, and organizational standards.
• Manages laboratory service contracts for assigned aquaculture equipment (e.g., recirculating aquaculture systems, water treatment units); works with researchers, scientists, or super users to understand maintenance or repair needs, and with service providers to ensure work aligns with expectations and contract terms.
• Works closely with facilities personnel to implement complex lab-plant upgrades and maintenance related to water, ventilation, electrical, gas, heating, and air conditioning systems supporting the aquaculture facility.
• Manages and coordinates preventative maintenance; conducts inspections of semi-complex to complex equipment (e.g., life-support systems, water quality monitors) and ensures repairs are made promptly to reduce unexpected downtime and protect animal welfare.
• Monitors laboratory equipment and usage to comply with EH&S requirements, protocols, policies, procedures, and established standards; identifies issues and works with EH&S consultants to implement solutions.
• Improves methods, systems, or tools that contribute to the broader research workstream; regularly develops solutions to recurring husbandry, water-quality, or facility-operations challenges.
• Translates workstream objectives from research programs into actionable husbandry and facility-operations plans.
• May act as a team lead for lab technicians or junior staff; trains and mentors staff on aquaculture procedures, animal husbandry, and safety practices.
• Documents SOPs, husbandry protocols, and facility records to support reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and continuity of operations.

Requirements

Required
 

• Demonstrated experience across all areas of aquaculture/lab operations, with in-depth specialization in at least one area (e.g., water quality management, recirculating system operation, or fish husbandry).
• Ability to communicate clearly, directly, and respectfully with multiple audiences, including researchers, scientists, vendors, and EH&S consultants.
• Proven knowledge of aquaculture facility practices and processes, including husbandry standards for aquatic model organisms (e.g., zebrafish).
• Strong understanding of semi-complex to complex scientific/aquaculture instruments and systems (e.g., recirculating aquaculture systems, water quality monitors, filtration units).
• Proven knowledge of lab equipment and procedures needed to support aquatic model-organism research; familiarity with animal welfare and biosafety requirements for aquatic species.
• Advanced experience and competency in single-focus lab operations, with the ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical approaches involving research, analysis, and execution of action plans, as could be acquired through higher education and/or equivalent professional experience.
• Typically has 5-8 years of progressively complex, related professional experience in aquaculture, animal facility management, or laboratory operations.
   

Preferred
 

• Direct experience with zebrafish or other aquatic model-organism husbandry in a research setting.
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
• Experience developing or maintaining water quality management and biosecurity protocols.
• Experience mentoring or training junior lab staff or technicians.
• Experience contributing to the design or build-out of new aquaculture facilities or lab space.
• Familiarity with IACUC or equivalent regulatory/compliance frameworks governing aquatic model organisms.

Contact Information

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