Ocean Career: MBL Director Marine Research Services

The Director of Marine Research Services (MRS) is responsible for overseeing the operation of core laboratory organism collection and husbandry facilities and their operational staff, including the Marine Resources Center, the Animal Care Facility, the Zebrafish Facility, and all applicable ancillary facilities, including a small fleet of boats and their docks.

Oversight includes campus marine operations related to specimen collections, and scientific diving. The Director coordinates with MBL leadership on operational, fiscal, and strategic goals related to the establishment and support of MBL’s marine operations, research organisms and their supporting infrastructure.

The Director of Marine Research Services is not responsible for oversight of MBL’s National Xenopus Resource or organisms maintained in laboratories of individual Principal Investigators.

Major Duties:

  1. Support the goals and implementation plans of the MBL leadership with an emphasis on marine research organisms.
  2. Work with MBL Plant Operations & Maintenance team to oversee the maintenance of the water systems of MRS facilities.
  3. Contribute to planning and implementation of strategic initiatives to improve and renovate the Marine Resource Center building and MRS operational structure.
  4. Support and serve the research needs of all MBL academic programs with respect to research organisms. This includes: 1) identifying and supporting research requirements through the collection, husbandry, and culture of living species and 2) the design, installation, and maintenance of aquatic or terrestrial life support systems that fall within the scope of Marine Research Services.
  5. Oversee the daily operation of Marine Research Services, including managing permanent and temporary staff and interns and working effectively with administrative staff and animal care technicians.
  6. Develop and manage annual MRS budgets, including working with the Director of Finance to develop a long-term plan for capital equipment in MRS facilities.
  7. Design and implement management policies for Marine Research Services, especially in, but not limited to, the area of marine operations and organism research infrastructure.
  8. Formulate and maintain all relevant protocols, permits and reporting requirements in support of animal collection, organism use, and marine operations, including our boats and docks.
  9. Maintain an active marine outreach and education space in the MRC. Work with Communications, Education, and Development departments to develop outreach and educational opportunities that showcase marine programs.
  10. Support and implement policies on animal welfare. Serve on MBL Biosafety Committee and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
  11. Perform other duties as required and/or assigned.

Skills Required:

Must have strong management capabilities and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills with a proven ability to communicate complex technical work to a non-technical audience. Proficiency with data management software and processes (DBMS, Excel).

Education/Experience Required:

A BA/BS degree in Biology or related field. 8+ years managing a marine animal facility or similar animal care facility. Experience in managing operational facilities for marine research and some knowledge of and expertise in the biology of marine organisms.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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