Research Job Opportunities

Position Overview

This position will be part of collaborative teams within the Aquaculture Research Institute (ARI) at the Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station (HFCES), Hagerman, Idaho. The Aquaculture Research Institute conducts basic and applied research, supports undergraduate and graduate student education and research and is engaged in outreach/extension activities in aquaculture, including food production, fisheries enhancement and fisheries stock restoration. ARI works across colleges and with scientists from other universities, agencies, Native American tribes and the global aquaculture industry. Although many ARI studies focus on rainbow trout, ARI also conducts research on other native and non-native species.

Provides functional supervision of day-to-day activities of a laboratory or field research enterprise, including directing the activities of graduate and undergraduate students, staff researchers and research support staff. Develops guidelines and protocols for lab operations. Assures quality control; maintains budget; and operates, tests, and repairs electronic and/or scientific test equipment used. Assists with the construction and modification of new and prototype scientific devices.

Duties may include:

• Provide consulting services to department management, public and private sector entities
• Provide final review of policies and procedures; recommending changes based on prevailing scientific evidence
• Supervise scientific/technical staff
• Direct and/or plan and implementing a component of the scientific program
• Direct and/or develop and monitoring research projects in conjunction with other agencies
• Direct and/or prepare reports assessing use, distribution, fate, exposure, and probability of adverse effects of chemicals and/or radiological constituents or other hazardous substances in specific use situations
• Direct and/or develop and /or providing final detailed review of risk assessments and making recommendations for improvement where risk level is unacceptable
• Establish work priorities and performance standards; may be involved in hiring, training, evaluating staff, assigning and reviewing work
• Make managerial decisions that directly affect the efficiency, cost, reputation and service quality of the laboratory
• Develop budgets, distributing budgeted funds, and exercising the primary control over a relatively small budget
• Other duties as assigned

Job Duties

Perform research by (Estimated effort: 70%)

• Overseeing all fish rearing/holding responsibilities in support of basic and applied aquaculture research and educational projects
• Day-to-day supervision and management of wet lab personnel
• Ensuring proper operation, fish care, water quality monitoring, and scheduling of experimental trails
• Providing technical support in the science of fish culture for scientific investigators
• Setting up, designing and maintenance of aquaculture systems for coldwater and warmwater fish species
• Participating in working groups associated with each project
• Independently collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data relevant to each project; working collaboratively to integrate the results of the research
• Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and keeping up-to-date research notebooks and computer files of those protocols

Present research results by (Estimated effort: 20%)

• Compiling and reporting findings, preparing figures and tables that summarize data and results
• Presenting in working groups

Collaborative activities by (Estimated effort: 20%)

• Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of the LARF at all times
• Stocking and replacing of room supplies, cleaning solutions
• Operating cage-washer, pathological incinerator and autoclave; mixing and using chemicals in accordance with the SDS and LARF SOPs

Provides backup support by (Estimated effort: 10%)

• Compiling and reporting findings, preparing figures and tables that summarize data and results
• Presenting in working groups

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Aquaculture, Fisheries, Environmental Sciences, Animal Sciences or related field

Experience

• Two years of post-bachelor’s research work to include technical/administrative experience in research operations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Aquaculture, Fisheries, Environmental Sciences, Animal Sciences or related field
• Experience with flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems
• Laboratory or field research site management experience including animal husbandry, monitoring safety compliance, training personnel, and budgeting and procuring necessary supplies/equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, students, industry representatives, government agency personnel, and the public
• Experience developing and revising standard operating procedures

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Must be able to
  • Stand and work in cold water for up to six hours per shift
  • Lift, carry and/or otherwise move material weighing up to 60 pounds
  • Climb on and off fish transport trucks
  • Work in all types of weather conditions

Additional information

• Apply through the University of Idaho Careers page.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the Letter of Qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin Sept. 18.