Ocean Career: NWFSC Aquaculture and Genetics

Marine Aquaculture Research Assistant

The NWFSC, Environmental Physiology Program is conducting research aimed at improving the environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of marine aquaculture. This project seeks to develop non-GMO methods for sterilization that can be applied on a large scale by the aquaculture industry to shellfish and finfish species. In addition, the development of an "analytical tool-kit" to assess physiological parameters in cultured shellfish that may be predictive of multi-stressor resistance (e.g., resistance to ocean acidification and elevated temperature) in the field is highly needed.

Research under this project focuses on reproductive physiology in marine species and the development of predictive biomarkers of multi-stress resistance in cultured shellfish species.

The project for which services are needed focuses on development of methods for reproductive sterilization of shellfish and finfish aquaculture species and the development and validation of physiological assays that can be used to predict multi-stress resistance in cultured shellfish. These are key research areas for the Environmental Physiology Program at the NWFSC that have been supported by the NOAA Office of Aquaculture and Ocean Acidification Program.

Research activities shall include: assisting with rearing and manipulation of experimental animals in controlled, captive conditions; planning for and collecting tissue samples from experimental animals for downstream analysis; organizing samples and conducting laboratory analyses using histology and microscopy, molecular biology techniques, and cellular/chemical bioassays; organizing, analyzing, graphing and summarizing data obtained; assisting with preparation of written reports and peer-reviewed publications, as well as slide decks for scientific presentations.

Tasks include:

1. Shellfish/fish culture and experimental manipulations

Conduct shellfish husbandry and manipulations of experimental fish and shellfish held in controlled conditions at the NWFSC Montlake Lab and/or Manchester Research Station. This may entail set up and maintenance of experimental systems for multi-stressor shellfish trials, daily care and feeding of experimental shellfish, experimental diet preparation and feeding fish, enumerating larvae or fish, testing water quality, cleaning tanks and net pens, and modifying tank systems and seawater lines as needed.

2. Tissue collections

Prepare supplies for tissue sampling events and assist staff scientists with tissue collections. Preparation for sampling events typically entails labeling tubes for collection of biological tissues, preparing field note sheets and packing supplies for sampling. Sampling itself typically entails collecting size data (length, weight, and tag number where applicable) and tissue samples from experimental animals using an RNase-free technique. Biological samples shall be properly stored for later analysis.

3. Laboratory analyses

Conduct laboratory analyses of various physiological factors in shellfish and finfish, including histology and microscopy, molecular biology techniques, immuno- and enzyme assays, and metabolic rate assays measured via respirometry. It is likely that optimization of established methodologies will be required for a particular species/life-stage experimental paradigm. Specific laboratory techniques that shall be used are:
1) paraffin histology (tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, staining) and microscopy to assess cellular and anatomical features of the gonad or other tissues;
2) molecular biology techniques such as DNA and RNA isolations and sequencing, gel electrophoresis, oligo primer design, standard and quantitative PCR, targeted gene cloning, gene knock-downs and in situ hybridizations;
3) cellular and chemical bioassays for shellfish and fish tissues, including enzyme activity assays and hormone bioassays; and
4) metabolic rate assays measured via respirometry and/or metabolic proxy, such as resazurin assay.

4. Data entry, organization, analysis and presentation

Enter and compile data and notes from all laboratory and field activities in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Conduct initial statistical analyses using standard statistical software (e.g., R or Prism) and generate preliminary graphs/tables and data summaries for review by the Project Leader. Hard copies of data sheets from field sampling shall be kept in a secure location, while all electronic data shall be stored on a NWFSC computer and backed up to external hard drives to be provided by the NWFSC.

Assist with writing materials and methods and other sections for annual reports and peer-reviewed publications, and assist with developing slide decks for presentations at scientific meetings. Provide a monthly status progress report (via email), to include, but not necessarily limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations, if…