Oyster Technician

Job Details

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for two lab technician positions in the University of Texas Oyster Mariculture Laboratory. These positions will play a central role in the daily operations of oyster mariculture including algal feed production, oyster broodstock conditioning and husbandry, larval culture, and spat nursery production. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Texas Oyster Mariculture Lab manager and Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory (FAML) Director. Responsibilities include maintaining and optimizing live algal cultures to support broodstock and larval production; maintaining and managing water quality and operations of oyster broodstock; managing day-to-day oyster hatchery operations, including conditioning, spawning, larval rearing, settlement, and nursery grow-out; performing collection of native oysters for use as broodstock; and contributing to data management, compliance, and progress reporting for the shellfish research program.

The position will work in an aquaculture laboratory with shellfish, primarily oysters, and with seawater algae cultures; may work around biohazards (i.e. BSL1, bacterial cultures), outdoors in all weather conditions, around standard office conditions, with chemicals such as those used in water quality testing and treatment of diseases, and around electrical and mechanical hazards; and will conduct fieldwork in small boats for oyster broodstock collections. The position also involves repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation, use of manual dexterity, and lifting and moving. Required materials include a resume/CV, three work references with contact information, with at least one reference from a supervisor, and a letter of interest. This position is located in Port Aransas, Tx. Only applicants authorized to work in the US will be considered. 

Requirements

Required qualifications include a BSc. in marine science, aquaculture, fisheries, biology, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience in lieu of a formal degree, and at least two years of experience in shellfish aquaculture. Preferred qualifications include experience with algal culture systems, particularly in relation to oyster feed production; oyster/shellfish husbandry and larval rearing; flow-through and/or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS); and disease management and biosecurity in shellfish hatcheries.

Contact Information

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