Job Posting Title:Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager
----Hiring Department:Department of Marine Science
----Position Open To:All Applicants
----Weekly Scheduled Hours:40
----FLSA Status:Exempt from FLSA
----Earliest Start Date:Sep 30, 2026
----Position Duration:Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2028
----Location:PORT ARANSAS, TX
----Job Details:General NotesThe Marine Science Institute (MSI) at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Ph.D.-level Scientist to serve as Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager at the Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory.
Purpose: The Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager will lead the design, construction, and initial operation of a comprehensive oyster aquaculture facility at FAML. This position will play a central role in establishing infrastructure for oyster broodstock conditioning, larval culture, and spat nursery production, with an emphasis on Crassostrea virginica.
The successful candidate will work with the FAML Director to combine applied aquaculture expertise with strong operational and problem-solving skills to develop a functional, scalable, and research-integrated hatchery system supporting both research and industry engagement. Initial appointment: 2-3 years, with potential for renewal based on performance and funding
Responsibilities- Manage the scientific tasks related to the development of Texas triploid oyster lines. This will include design and implementation of captive breeding and spat production protocols, as well as experimentation on diploid, triploid and tetraploid genetic lines.
- Oversee the maintenance and husbandry of broodstock, larvae and spat stage oyster cultures.
- Contribute to the supervision of technicians, students and staff related to the upkeep of seawater systems, algae feed cultures and oyster husbandry.
- Contribute to data management, compliance and progress reporting for the shellfish research program.
Required Qualifications- Ph.D. in marine science, aquaculture, fisheries, biology, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience in oyster aquaculture, including: broodstock management, larval culture and settlement, and nursery production
- Hands-on experience with hatchery system design and operation
- Strong knowledge of water quality management and aquaculture systems engineering
- Experience with algal culture techniques
- Proven ability to work independently while coordinating across interdisciplinary teams
Preferred Qualifications- Experience designing or commissioning aquaculture or hatchery facilities
- Familiarity with Gulf of Mexico oyster systems and environmental conditions
- Experience with recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)
- Knowledge of disease management and biosecurity in shellfish hatcheries
- Record of applied research, industry collaboration, or technology transfer
Salary Range$85,000 +DOE
Working Conditions• Will work with shellfish, primarily oysters.
• Will work with seawater algae cultures.
• May work around biohazards (i.e. BSL1, bacterial cultures)
• May work in all weather conditions.
• May work around chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• 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
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
