Oyster Technician

The University of Texas at Austin; Port Aransas (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Oyster Mariculture Laboratory in Port Aransas seeks an Oyster Technician to support daily operations, including feed production, broodstock conditioning, larval culture, and spat nursery production.

Under the supervision of the Lab Manager and FAML Director, you will contribute to dolphin-based oyster research and field collections, ensuring quality control and safety in a marine hatchery setting.

Qualifications

• BSc in marine science, aquaculture, fisheries, biology, or closely related field or equivalent practical experience.
• At least two years of experience in shellfish aquaculture.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize live algal cultures for broodstock and larval production.
• Manage water quality and operations of oyster broodstock.
• Oversee day-to-day oyster hatchery operations including conditioning, spawning, larval rearing and nursery grow-out.
• Collect native oysters for broodstock as needed.
• Support data management, compliance, and progress reporting for shellfish research.

Skills

Algal culture systems

Oyster broodstock

Larval rearing

Water quality management

Education

BSc in marine science or related field

Tools

RAS (flow-through/recirculating systems)

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Oyster Technician

Hiring Department:

Department of Marine Science

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Oct 31, 2028

Location:

PORT ARANSAS, TX

Job Details:

General Notes

This position is located in Port Aransas, Tx. Only applicants authorized to work in the US will be considered.

Purpose

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

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.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and other compliance policies. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.