Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager

University of Texas; Port Aransas (TX); On-site; USD 72,250 - 97,750; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, TX invites applications for a Ph.D.-level Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager to lead the design, construction, and early operation of an oyster hatchery facility at FAML.

The successful candidate will oversee broodstock management, larval culture, spat production, and integrate research with industry engagement, with an initial appointment of 2–3 years and potential renewal.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in marine science, aquaculture, fisheries, biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience in oyster broodstock management, larval culture, and nursery production.
• Hands-on hatchery system design and operation experience.
• Strong knowledge of water quality management and aquaculture systems engineering.
• Experience with algal culture techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, construction, and initial operation of an oyster hatchery facility.
• Oversee broodstock, larvae and spat culture husbandry.
• Supervise technicians, students, and staff managing seawater systems and feed cultures.
• Maintain data management, compliance, and progress reporting.

Skills

Oyster aquaculture

Hatchery design & operation

Water quality management

Independent with teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in marine science or related field

Job description

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 Notes The 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

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.

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

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: 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). 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.

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll‑free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus