Shellfish Positions Available

Shellfish Manager (Prince Edward Island, Canada): The Bideford Shellfish Hatchery, located in Lennox Island, PEI is seeking an individual with well-grounded experience to operate a commercial scale shellfish hatchery. This is a permanent, full-time position and offers a unique opportunity for a career-minded person to grow with the company as it expands its presence in the oyster aquaculture industry.  This person is expected to ensure proper SOPs are established, schedule staff activities, ensure staff are meeting expectations and ensure all the logistical, technical and human resources are in place to achieve production goals. Must be self-motivated, resourceful, creative, detail-oriented and above all, have excellent problem-solving skills.  The basic work-week is 40 h but the successful candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule as some overtime and weekend work will be required.  The Hatchery Manager would report regularly to the Executive to communicate progress of production goals and efficiency targets and communicate any needs or deficiencies. Further details of expectations are as follows:  Oversee hatchery staff to ensure all operations from spawning through to nursery production are conducted efficiently, on schedule and following standard operating procedures; Plan and coordinate hatchery and nursery activities to achieve production goals; Coordinate algae production with the Algae Manager; Supervise hatchery personnel and ensure all hatchery staff adhere to established protocols; Set and maintain high standards of hygiene, biosecurity and safety; Maintain accurate and well organized records of production, water quality, inventory and hatchery activities; Supervise maintenance staff to ensure all equipment is checked, maintained and serviced on a set schedule and that any spare parts / equipment are maintained; Collaborate with the Executive Committee to ensure the overall mission and vision of the business remain on track; Identify any capital and / or operating needs to ensure the hatchery is able to meet it’s production goals.  Education: B.Sc. or equivalent in a related field is an asset but consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant shellfish industry experience.  Experience/skills:  The successful candidate will have experience in commercial-scale shellfish hatchery operations including phytoplankton culture, broodstock management, larval rearing, and nursery production. The candidate will also have a demonstrated competence with a variety of culture systems including flow-through larvae tanks and bottle-style oyster upwellers, and confidence in the operation and maintenance of hatchery equipment. In addition, the Hatchery Manager will be able to effectively train and manage hatchery personnel and maintain a cooperative team environment. Start date is ASAP or by December 15, 2024.   How to apply:  Email resume with cover letter and two references to [email protected] with “Oyster Hatchery Manager” in the subject line. While the interest of all applicants is appreciated, only those selected for an interview will be contacted (posted 7/19/24)

Aquaculture Outreach Specialist (Maryland, USA): The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory is seeking applications to fill the position of Shellfish Aquaculture Outreach Specialist. This position will be either a Faculty Research Assistant or Assistant Research Scientist dependent upon education and experience. This position will be located in Cambridge, Maryland. The Outreach Specialist position will be a Full time hybrid position reporting directly to Horn Point Lab director, Mike Sieracki. The Shellfish Aquaculture Outreach Specialist will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between scientific research and industry application in the areas of shellfish aquaculture, fisheries, and restoration. Collaborating closely with Horn Point Laboratory scientists, and home to the largestthe oyster hatchery on the East Coast, the person in this position will focus on translating solution-driven research into actionable strategies to enhance the diversity, productivity, growth, and resiliency of the Chesapeake Bay shellfish aquaculture and wild harvest industries. This position is partially supported by Maryland Sea Grant and the Outreach Specialist will be part of the Sea Grant network and work with the Maryland Sea Grant program. Advancing sustainable aquaculture and wild fisheries are core missions of Sea Grant. The person in this position will have access to Sea Grant resources and be expected to work with Maryland industry, state government and non-governmental organizations important to fisheries issues in the state.  Minimum qualifications: Master’s degree in marine science, aquaculture, fisheries, environmental science, or related field; Willingness to travel in the mid-Atlantic region and work occasional weekend or evening events as needed; Physical ability to handle aquaculture and harvesting gear is required; Must be eligible for a Maryland driver’s license; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences; Understanding of shellfish biology, and aquaculture and fishing techniques; Ability to use word, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software. Preferred qualifications: Experience in science communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement; Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, work effectively in a team environment, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; Experience in crafting, obtaining, and/or executing grant proposals; Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and work both independently and as a part of a team. For more details on the position, and to apply, please use the following link: https://umces.peopleadmin.com/postings/1866 (posted 6/27/24)

Graduate Assistant (Mississippi, USA): The USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is seeking a graduate assistant position.  The project focuses on the effect of climate change and wind turbine construction on the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog resource using a coupled fishery-population dynamics model (SEFES) that includes a future climate projection capability. Development of wind energy on the continental shelf may influence fisheries by limiting access, increasing vessel steaming costs, and limiting stock surveys. Warming of the northwest Atlantic is rapidly shifting the range of the surfclam resource and impinging the species upon territory occupied by ocean quahogs, one of the oldest marine species. The project will address management issues arising from the influence of global warming and competitive uses of the continental shelf with respect to maintaining a sustainable clam resource and fishery. The successful candidate will develop a masters or dissertation project in connection with research supported by the NSF I/UCRC science center SCEMFIS and provide the opportunity for the candidate to work directly with the fishing industry and the management community. The research is supported by SCEMFIS (NSF Science Center for Marine Fisheries) and private enterprise.   Qualification: BS or MS in marine science, fisheries, or related field; competency in mathematics or statistics, and numerical modeling; GREs in the upper 50th percentiles; GPA above 3.0.  Salary: $22,800-$24,000/year.  To apply, please email a copy of transcrips, CV, GRE scores, and a cover letter to Dr. Eric Powell ([email protected]) and Kelsey Kuykendall ([email protected]). (posted 5/24/24)

Graduate Assistant (Mississippi, USA): The USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is seeking a graduate assistant position.  The project focuses on larval performance, recruitment, growth, and health of oysters in Mississippi Sound as part of two research programs, one focused on the evaluation of the influence of food quantity and quality supporting larval and post-settlement oysters and the other being a restoration program following the 2019 mass mortality due to opening of the Bonnet Carré spillway. The project includes following the environmental conditions, including food supply metrics influencing larval settlement, and the post-settlement success of the oyster resource following a large -cale restoration program and the development of Dermo disease after its eradication from the region in 2019. The project will build on a two-year study of oyster food supply supported by the Mississippi Restore Act Center for Excellence (MBRACE). The successful candidate will develop a masters or dissertation project on the subject. The research is supported by MBRACE and the Engineer Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.Qualification: BS or MS in marine science, fisheries, or related field; competency in mathematics or statistics, and numerical modeling; GREs in the upper 50th percentiles; GPA above 3.0. Salary: $22,800-$24,000/year + tuition.  To apply, please email a copy of transcrips, CV, GRE scores, and a cover letter to Dr. Eric Powell ([email protected]) and Kelsey Kuykendall ([email protected]). (posted 5/24/24)