Specialist - Alfaro Lab

Position Overview

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

$93,200–$194,800 annually.

Open date:
February 20, 2026

Final date:
Monday, June 15, 2026 (Pacific Time)

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. Research in Specialized Areas (70% effort)

A. Specialized Research Collaboration and Contribution

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and extension personnel on aquaculture‑focused projects, emphasizing omics approaches to interrogate host physiological responses to dietary interventions and environmental stressors common to aquaculture and marine systems, including thermal stress, hypoxia, handling, transport, sediment exposure, and other husbandry challenges. Responsibilities include project management (ordering materials, tracking budget, achieving milestones, risk assessment), experimental design, method development, execution of laboratory and field experiments, integration of omics outputs with physiological, immunological, behavioral, growth, resilience, and product‑quality metrics.

Conduct literature reviews, manuscript preparation, journal editorial processes, grant writing, technical reports, SOPs, and dissemination through seminars, meetings, and funding bodies.

Performance is evaluated through evidence such as:

B. Research Coordination and Laboratory Leadership

Serve as a research coordinator for aquaculture and marine science projects. Coordinate experimental trials, sample collection, and ensure continuity and communication across laboratories. Oversee sample and data management pipelines, prepare technical summaries and reports for investigators and sponsors. Provide technical leadership and training for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers in metabolomics workflows, other omics analyses, data analysis, and scientific writing. Contribute to laboratory protocol development, QA procedures, and health and safety practices.

II. Professional Competence and Activity (10% effort)

A. Professional Development and Engagement

Maintain active participation in professional societies and networks related to aquaculture, metabolomics, biochemistry, physiology, and applied life sciences. Stay current with advances in analytical technologies, data analysis approaches, and reporting standards, and integrate these developments into research and training activities.

B. Scholarly Service and Peer Review

Contribute expertise through review of research proposals, journal manuscripts, and other scholarly outputs. Participate in editorial activities, special issues, or advisory roles supporting scientific integrity.

III. University and Public Service (20% effort)

A. External Liaison and Stakeholder Engagement

Maintain liaison with industry partners, research institutes, governmental and regulatory agencies, and other external organizations. Respond to technical inquiries, contribute expertise to collaborative research, and support translation of findings into evidence‑based management, husbandry, and feed‑formulation strategies. Provide input to working groups, advisory panels,…