Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science

UNCW; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking a Temporary Research Specialist in the Center for Marine Science to support mariculture research on finfish breeding, larviculture, and growout. The role involves designing culture systems, supervising staff, and training students and interns.

The successful candidate will induce spawning, perform biochemical analyses, culture larvae, and analyze data using statistics and software, contributing to publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment plus 1 year of directly related experience; or equivalent.
• Computer hardware and graphic skills are required.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Responsibilities

• Support the Mariculture principal investigator in research on breeding, larviculture, and growout of high value marine finfish species.
• Design and evaluate culture systems, supervise staff, students and interns, and provide training.
• Induce spawning using hormones and/or photothermal control; conduct analyses with laboratory instrumentation; culture live planktonic feeds.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment

Job description

Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science

University InformationThe University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation. A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering. The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Founded as Wilmington College in 1947, UNCW moved to its present location in the heart of New Hanover County in 1961. The 660-acre campus is only minutes from Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington and features Georgian architecture and designated conservation areas. Wilmington International Airport ( ILM ) provides commercial air service to cities both domestic and abroad and is just six miles from the UNCW campus. UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Working Title Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science

Job Title

Job Title Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science

Job Category

Job Category Marine Science

FLSA for Position

FLSA for Position Nonexempt

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

To provide support to the Mariculture principal investigator (PI) in the areas of research on controlled breeding, larviculture, and growout of high value marine finfish species for commercial cultivation or stock enhancement. He/she will also provide support to the PI in the areas of culture system design, construction, operation and maintenance, supervision of technical staff, students and interns, and training and education. Incumbent will be required to induce spawning using hormones and/or photothermal control, conduct biochemical analyses using various laboratory instrumentation (e.g. gas chromatography, NMR spectrophotometer, electron microscope) conduct experimental culture of larvae, culture live planktonic feeds, conduct growout studies with juveniles in recirculation tank systems, and conduct proximate analyses of fish and feed. For new culture systems, incumbent will be responsible for system design utilizing state-of-the-art components and technology, including specific components and sizing supervise assembly and operation. He/she will play an important role in keeping up to date on the scientific literature and on the latest technological innovations in the field of fin fish/shellfish mariculture. He/she will design experiments and develop research protocols, supervise and implement experiments, analyze data using a variety of statistical methods and software, interpret and write-up results for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present findings to the public at scientific or industry conferences, to the press, and during informal tours of the research facilities at UNCW . His/her research duties will include the areas of aquaculture economics and marketing.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment + 1 year of directly related experience; or equivalent combination of training and/or related experience.
• Computer hardware and graphic skills are required.
• All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Candidates should have a strong working knowledge of recirculating systems design, construction and operation, marine fish husbandry and hormone-induced spawning, larval culture, culture of live planktonic feeds, and growout of juveniles in recirculating tank systems. Statistical and data management skills, data interpretation, scientific communication and writing abilities

Required Certifications or Licensure

ValidNC Driver’s license

Work Hours

Work Days

Work Days Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week up to 40

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $22/hr - $30/hr

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 10/30/2026

Job Closing Date

Job Closing Date 11/08/2026

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
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• * If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)