Oyster Technician

Oyster Technician This position is located in Port Aransas, TX. Only applicants authorized to work in the US will be considered. 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: Maintain and optimize live algal cultures to support broodstock and larval production. Maintain and manage water quality and operations of oyster broodstock. Manage day-to-day oyster hatchery operations, including conditioning, spawning, larval rearing, settlement, and nursery grow-out. Perform collection of native oysters for use as broodstock. Contribute to data management, compliance, and progress reporting for the shellfish research program. Required Qualifications: 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: Experience with algal culture systems, particularly in relation to oyster feed production. Experience with oyster/shellfish husbandry and larval rearing. Experience with flow-through and/or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) Experience with disease management and biosecurity in shellfish hatcheries Salary: $42,000+ Working Conditions: Will work in an aquaculture laboratory with shellfish, primarily oysters. Will work with seawater algae cultures. May work around biohazards (i.e. BSL1, bacterial cultures) May work outdoors in all weather conditions Will conduct fieldwork in small boats for oyster broodstock collections. May work around standard office conditions. May work with chemicals, such as those used in water quality testing and treatment of diseases May work around electrical and mechanical hazards Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Use of manual dexterity. Lifting and moving. Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest The University of Texas at Austin Staff