Duke University School of Medicine
The Z-Core has an opening for an Aquaculture Manager to be part of a dedicated husbandry staff. Candidates should have at minimum a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, with a Master’s degree preferred. Ideal candidates will have at least 2-3 years of experience working with zebrafish or in a biomedical aquaculture facility. An advanced understanding of aquaculture, husbandry, and water chemistry is expected.
Work responsibilities include:
1.) Provide support to Shared Resource Manager and researchers in the daily facility functions.
2.) Supervise and train technicians and student helpers on required duties.
3.) Respond to emergency situations (this may include responding at night or on weekends).
4.) Prepare stock solutions and track inventory necessary for research procedures and fish care.
5.) Manage quarantine room to ensure biosecurity measures are being exercised and fish strains are transitioned properly into general holding.
6.) Coordinate logistics of importing and exporting fish shipments.
7.) Assist in developing or revising standard operating procedures.
8.) Orient new facility users.
9.) Feed fish, maintain cultures, and clean tanks as needed.
10.) Maintain facility cleanliness in tandem with the facility staff.
11.) Handle requirements of quarterly sanitation testing.
12.) Record, review, and/or adjust daily water parameters.
13.) Perform daily health checks and work with veterinarians and staff to resolve any health abnormalities.
14.) Ensure facility equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operating correctly.
15.) Monitor embryo care, survival, and transfer of tanks on or off of nursery racks.
16.) Maintain common wild-type, transgenic, and mutant fish stocks.
17.) Participate and occasionally lead in bi-weekly staff meetings.
18.) Contribute ideas on facility improvements regarding equipment, procedures, and techniques.
19.) Interact and consult with facility users to ensure research goals are being met by the most humane and ethical methods in accordance with approved protocols.
Other duties may be required as necessary. Training will be provided as needed. Occasional weekend and holiday work is required.
Working conditions:
The Aquaculture Manager will be on his/her feet a majority of the time and will periodically need to lift items up to 50lbs. Work will be performed in or around wet conditions that require extra caution. Work may result in occasional exposure to malodorous smells, chemicals, and fish and bacterial waste.
