The laboratory of Loretta Roberson at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA is seeking to fill a year-round, full-time Seaweed Farm Manager position responsible for husbandry and maintenance of a macroalgae research farm in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. The position will begin immediately and is funded through December 2023.

Additional Information: Our research project aims to develop sustainable seaweed cultivation practices for offshore environments along the Puerto Rico coastline. We are starting with the red alga, Eucheuma isiforme, as our target species. The grow-out cycle of E. isiforme is anticipated to take 6 to 12 weeks. Each grow-out cycle is anticipated to require the farm manager, often accompanied by other personnel, to make a minimum of three (3) planting/harvesting trips to the project site per month and up to six (6) weekly maintenance trips per month.

Duties will include, but are not limited to: coordination with remote project teams, on-site project administration (boat maintenance, equipment maintenance, coordination, permitting, logistics), growth measurements of seaweed at field site, sample collection for water quality monitoring and seaweed compositional analysis, field gear removal at the end of the marine experiments, care and monitoring of seaweed in tanks at Isla Magueyes, filtration and pre-analysis processing of water samples in the lab.

Travel to other parts of the island, as well as to Woods Hole, MA may be required throughout the course of the project.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Proficient scuba diver with minimum OW certification and the ability to work towards AAUS accreditation
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish required
• BS or MS in biology
• Experience working on the water, including operating small boats
• Flexibility in schedule to work early mornings, evenings, and on weekends when necessary
• Ability to lift and move objects up to 50 lbs
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Preferred Qualifications

• AAUS scientific diver or divemaster
• OUPV Captains License
• MS or PhD degree and background in marine science and/or ecology
• Previous experience with the collection or cultivation of marine algae
• Previous experience with marine species identification in the Caribbean
• Interest and/or experience in new business development
• Connections with local communities in La Parguera or in others in Puerto Rico

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)