Scientist Production: Aquaculture Research

Contract Duration:

12 Months (3 months probation)

Location:

Marine Aquaculture Research Facility, Sea Point, Cape Town

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Masters in Genetics/Biological/Ichthyology/Zoology or Molecular Biology
• PhD an advantage
• SACNASP registration

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in in the field of aquaculture research, Including:
• Invertebrate (e.g. sea urchin) broodstock management, larval rearing/settlement, grow-out. Direct practical experience with urchins an advantage.
• Molecular biology techniques, including routine microbiology (bacterial isolation/identification), genetics, molecular biology (DNA extraction, PCR, genotyping, enzymology) histology, microscopy, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and bioinformatics analysis for microbiome characterization using high performance computing (HPC)system.
• Recirculating Aquaculture system (RAS) design, maintenance and standard operating protocol (SOP)development, particularly in integrated (IMTA) system.
• Animal husbandry and handling with emphasis on low trophic species such as sea urchin, abalone, seaweeds, as well as familiarity with microalgal culture techniques
• Working in international and local interdisciplinary research consortiums
• Publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Microbiome studies using next-generation sequencing an advantage

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the design and management of a sea urchin hatchery and production of juveniles for research and grow-out studies
• Contribute towards the design, optimization and management of recirculating aquaculture systems
• Contribute towards the design implementation and coordination of scientific research trials including data collection, processing and statistical analysis
• Next generation sequencing, dataset management, bioinformation and data analysis of sample collected from experimental trials
• Project manage and support analysis of genetic studies reassessing genetic zones of abalone in terms of farmed and wild caught.
• Assist with daily animal husbandry, microalgal culture maintenance and system maintenance
• Support capacity building, training and relevant teaching initiatives
• Contribute towards scientific publication and reports
• Support supervision of post-graduates and students

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience in laboratory management and quality control.
• Knowledge of water quality testing techniques and instruments.
• Ability to conduct environmental impact assessments.
• Report writing and scientific publication skills.
• Proficiency in relevant scientific software and tools.