Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager

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.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Research Manager will lead the design, construction, and initial operation of a comprehensive oyster aquaculture facility s 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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

$85,000 +DOE

• 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

Resume/CV
· 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
· Letter of interest

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.

• 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.

A criminal history background check will be…