Specialist - Alfaro Lab

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $93,200-$194,800.

Application Window
Open date:
February 20, 2026
Next review date:
Monday, Mar 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date:
Monday, Jun 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

NATURE AND PURPOSE
The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides advanced technical and scientific expertise in marine and aquatic animal physiology, immunology, metabolomics, multi‑omics approaches, and microbiome‑host interactions. The Specialist supports the planning, execution, and interpretation of experimental research in aquaculture and marine science, with a strong emphasis on the mechanistic elucidation of systems governing animal performance, nutrition, responses to environmental stressors, metabolism, resilience, and product quality.

The Specialist maintains technical competence in metabolomics and other omics approaches, stable isotope–based flux analyses, gut microbiome integration, immunological assays, and advanced analytical platforms (e.g., LC‑MS, GC‑MS, flow cytometry, spectrophotometry, and microscopy). The Specialist remains apprised of emerging methodologies, data‑integration strategies, and reporting standards in aquaculture and systems biology. Within this defined area, the Specialist provides leadership in experimental design, laboratory workflows, and data interpretation;

facilitates interdisciplinary teamwork; and develops collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

The Specialist supplies substantive input into the development of research and educational programs within the Animal Science Department, particularly those focused on aquaculture, marine science, and sustainable feed development. While normally not holding Principal Investigator (PI) status, the Specialist collaborates closely with PIs in the preparation and execution of extramurally funded research and contributes specialized expertise essential to project success. The Specialist may, with exception and with approval, lead research activities and/or collaborate with a PI in the preparation of research proposals for extramural funding.

Collaborate with Animal Science faculty, marine science researchers, and extension personnel on aquaculture‑focused research projects. A core research emphasis is the application of omics approaches to interrogate host physiological responses to both dietary interventions and environmental stressors common to aquaculture and marine systems, including— but not limited to—thermal stress, hypoxia, handling, transport, sediment exposure, and other husbandry‑related challenges.

Responsibilities include project management activities such as ordering experimental materials, tracking budgets, achieving project milestones, performing risk assessments and implementing mitigation measures, monitoring project progress, and providing regular project updates. Hands‑on contributions include experimental design, method development and validation, execution of laboratory‑ and field‑based experiments, and integration of omics outputs with physiological, immunological, behavioral, growth, resilience, and product‑quality metrics. The Specialist is expected to conduct literature reviews and prepare manuscripts;

navigate journal editorial processes; extract biologically meaningful results and conclusions; write technical reports, standard operating procedures, and grant applications; summarize research findings for seminars, meetings, and funding bodies; and prepare scientific content for organizational initiatives, outreach, media, or promotional purposes, as appropriate.

Performance is evaluated through evidence including, but not limited to: