Primary responsibilities will include husbandry duties associated with the care and production of invertebrate grazers and corals, daily maintenance of laboratory research systems, conducting extensive field research operations including the outplanting, stocking, and monitoring of corals and invertebrate grazers along Florida’s Coral Reef, collections of animals and marine algae necessary for research objectives, and coordinating the production and transfer logistics of animals for research and restoration operations with colleagues at Mote’s Florida Coral Reef Restoration Crab Hatchery Research Center in Sarasota, FL. The incumbent will also be expected to generally support Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program activities including the maintenance of ex situ and in situ coral nurseries, the propagation of corals, and the construction and maintenance of equipment associated with those tasks as directed.
This position requires the incumbent to exhibit strong organizational skills and attention to detail with respect to the collection, entry and archival, QA/QC, and analysis of large datasets. The incumbent is expected to periodically assist with the preparation of grant and programmatic reports, as well as manuscripts, oral and/or poster presentations and other science communication tasks under the direction and in close coordination with the Coral Reef Restoration Research Program Manager. All activities will be conducted with close and constant communication with the Program Manager, Nursery Operations Coordinator, and Field Operations Coordinator to ensure that operational efficiency and data integrity are maintained to the highest standards.
Primary Duties:
- Support and participate in the periodic collection and transport of animals and algae to/from Mote’s grazers research facilities at Mote Aquaculture Research Park (MAP) in Sarasota, FL as directed.
- Extensive aquaculture husbandry work including the production and care of grazers, corals, and other associated species in laboratory, nursery, and field settings.
- Extensive laboratory and field experimental work involving small boat operations and SCUBA diving – set up and maintain experimental treatments, collect, enter, and QA/QC data, assist with data analysis and the presentation of results in oral or poster presentations and peer-reviewed publications as well as grant, programmatic, and permit reports.
- Work with the team and program to execute all funded projects and grant deliverables in full and in a timely fashion.
- Frequent surveys and collections of live animals from multiple nearshore and offshore field sites.
- Underwater data collection and maintenance of underwater research structures.
- Assist with literature reviews, grant proposal development, and preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals as directed.
- Some travel to remote field locations and laboratory facilities may be required.
- Normal hours are 7:30-4:30 M-F, however, weekend, evening, and holiday hours will be required to support Mote’s research and restoration objectives.
Additional duties will include assisting with various tasks related to the daily operation of a full service marine laboratory, assisting with field and lab support to visiting scientists, and assisting with outreach and education activities as needed.
Minimum Qualifications or Requirements:
- S. degree in the marine, biological, ecological or related scientific field from an accredited college or university.
- Meet (or be able to meet within 6 months of hire) and maintain AAUS Scientific Diver standards, including medical requirements.
- Previous research diving experience required.
- Knowledge of and ability to identify coral, invertebrate, and fish species common to the Caribbean and the Florida Keys.
- Valid license to drive in the State of Florida.
- Ability to lift heavy objects or equipment up to 50 lbs required.
- Participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming or diving or hauling gear required.
- Working knowledge of basic computer software (g., Microsoft Office) required.
- Ability to be an adaptable and collegial member of the team, self-motivated, and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team and remain productive with minimal supervision.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Masters Degree in marine, biological, or ecological sciences preferred.
- Previous experience with aquaculture and husbandry as well as prior experience working with recirculating and flow-through seawater aquaculture and research systems preferred.
- Prior experience leading invertebrate and fish surveys preferred.
- Prior experience operating vessels up to 30ft LOA (USCG Captain’s License preferred) and Divemaster certification preferred.
- Experience and proficiency in working with common data management and statistical analysis software (e.g., MatLab, SPSS, SAS, R) preferred.
Location: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Summerland Key, FL
