Specialist - Alfaro Lab

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides advanced technical and scientific expertise in marine and aquatic animal physiology, immunology, metabolomics, multi-omics approaches, and microbiome-host interactions. The Specialist supports the planning, execution, and interpretation of experimental research in aquaculture and marine science, with a strong emphasis on the mechanistic elucidation of systems governing animal performance, nutrition, responses to environmental stressors, metabolism, resilience, and product quality.

The Specialist maintains technical competence in metabolomics and other omics approaches, stable isotope-based flux analyses, gut microbiome integration, immunological assays, and advanced analytical platforms (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, flow cytometry, spectrophotometry, and microscopy). The Specialist remains apprised of emerging methodologies, data-integration strategies, and reporting standards in aquaculture and systems biology. Within this defined area, the Specialist provides leadership in experimental design, laboratory workflows, and data interpretation; facilitates interdisciplinary teamwork; and develops collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

The Specialist supplies substantive input into the development of research and educational programs within the Animal Science Department, particularly those focused on aquaculture, marine science, and sustainable feed development. While normally not holding Principal Investigator (PI) status, the Specialist collaborates closely with PIs in the preparation and execution of extramurally funded research and contributes specialized expertise essential to project success. The Specialist may, with exception and with approval, lead research activities and/or collaborate with a PI in the preparation of research proposals for extramural funding.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (70 % EFFORT)

A. Specialized Research Collaboration and Contribution

Collaborate with Animal Science faculty, marine science researchers, and extension personnel on aquaculture-focused research projects. A core research emphasis is the application of omics approaches to interrogate host physiological responses to both dietary interventions and environmental stressors common to aquaculture and marine systems, including-but not limited to-thermal stress, hypoxia, handling, transport, sediment exposure, and other husbandry-related challenges.

Responsibilities include project management activities such as ordering experimental materials, tracking budgets, achieving project milestones, performing risk assessments and implementing mitigation measures, monitoring project progress, and providing regular project updates. Hands-on contributions include experimental design, method development and validation, execution of laboratory- and field-based experiments, and integration of omics outputs with physiological, immunological, behavioral, growth, resilience, and product-quality metrics. The Specialist is expected to conduct literature reviews and prepare manuscripts; navigate journal editorial processes; extract biologically meaningful results and conclusions; write technical reports, standard operating procedures, and grant applications; summarize research findings for seminars, meetings, and funding bodies; and prepare scientific content for organizational initiatives, outreach, media, or promotional purposes, as appropriate.

Performance is evaluated through evidence including, but not limited to:

1. Peer-reviewed publications acknowledging the Specialist's significant intellectual and technical contributions.
2. Peer-reviewed publications on which the Specialist is an author or co-author, including first- or senior-author contributions where appropriate.
3. Documentation (e.g., letters from collaborators or PIs) demonstrating that the Specialist's work contributed directly to publishable research outcomes.
4. Active dissemination of research findings through seminars, workshops, extension activities, and conference presentations at regional, national, or international levels.
5. Additional indicators of recognized expertise, including development of analytical workflows and standard operating procedures, invited presentations, participation in interdisciplinary research teams, peer review of manuscripts or grant proposals, and service on advisory or working groups.

B. Research Coordination and Laboratory Leadership

Serve as a research coordinator for aquaculture and marine science projects conducted by PIs within the department, as resources permit. Responsibilities include coordinating experimental trials and sample collection, ensuring continuity and effective communication across laboratories and collaborators, overseeing sample and data management pipelines, and preparing technical summaries and reports tailored to investigator and sponsor needs. Provide technical leadership in laboratory and analytical operations, including training and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers in experimental planning, targeted and untargeted metabolomics workflows, other omics analyses, data analysis, and scientific writing. Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of laboratory protocols, quality assurance procedures, and health and safety practices.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10 % EFFORT)

A. Professional Development and Engagement

Maintain active participation in relevant professional, technical, and scientific societies and networks related to aquaculture, metabolomics, biochemistry, physiology, and applied life sciences. Stay current with advances in analytical technologies, data analysis approaches, and reporting standards, and integrate these developments into research and training activities.

B. Scholarly Service and Peer Review

Contribute professional expertise through the review of research proposals, journal manuscripts, and other scholarly outputs within areas of specialization. Participate, as appropriate, in editorial activities, special issues, or advisory roles that support the advancement and integrity of the scientific community.

II. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (20 % EFFORT)

A. External Liaison and Stakeholder Engagement

Maintain active liaison with aquaculture and marine industry partners, research institutes, governmental and regulatory agencies, and other external organizations on matters related to specialized research. Respond to technical and scientific inquiries, contribute specialized expertise to collaborative research initiatives, and support the translation of research findings into evidence-based management, husbandry, and feed-formulation strategies. Provide technical and scientific input to working groups, advisory panels, and industry-academic partnerships associated with aquaculture and biotechnology projects. Contribute to capacity building through knowledge-exchange activities, technical workshops, and stakeholder engagement that promote best practices, innovation, and sustainable development within aquaculture and related biotechnological sectors.

B. Institutional Service and Participation

Participate in departmental, college, campus, and University service activities as appropriate, including committee work, research development initiatives, student supervision, training workshops, and outreach or educational events. Contribute to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and research-active academic environment through service, mentorship, and professional engagement.

PhD in Biochemistry with applications in Aquaculture, covering health, nutrition, physiology, and/or metabolism

Research Experience:

* Over 5 years of experience applying biotechnological advances to aquaculture research.

* Skilled in planning, executing, and managing experiments to ensure high-quality research outcomes.

* Experienced in supervising undergraduate and graduate students and mentoring researchers in laboratory techniques, project execution, scientific best practices, and career development.

* Proficient in data collection, multivariate and univariate analysis, interpretation, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Laboratory & Technical Expertise:

* Proficient in developing, performing, and validating analytical methods.

* Skilled in sample preparation, extraction methods, omics analyses, and conducting spectrophotometric, flow cytometric, liquid- and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assays.

* Experienced in laboratory operations, including health and safety practices, quality control, instrument troubleshooting, and managing experimental materials.

* Able to order and manage materials for experimental trials and maintain biological specimen storage.

Scientific Communication:

* Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications.

* Presented research at local and international conferences.

* Strong scientific writing skills: literature reviews, manuscripts, reports, SOPs, grant applications, and summarizing research for seminars, meetings, and media purposes.

* Skilled in communicating research findings effectively to diverse audiences, including academic, industry, and funding stakeholders.

Professional Attributes:

* Versatile, reliable, and able to work independently or under guidance.

* Excellent organizational and project management skills for structuring complex research initiatives efficiently.

* Strong interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written communication.

* Adaptable to challenging environments with a commitment to continuous professional development.

* Team-oriented, collaborative, and focused on achieving shared goals while delivering value.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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