Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture Junior Specialist (Kapuscinski-Sarker Lab)

Professor Anne R. Kapuscinski in the Environmental Studies Department (ENVS) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture Junior Specialist.

Overview of unit: The selected candidate will be part of the Kapuscinski-Sarker Lab on ecological aquaculture, focused on the Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture research project at a rural farm location near Pescadero, CA, as well as our bench lab at the UCSC campus.

Core Functions/duties:

1. Complete the final phase of three research experiments in Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture at a rural farm site near Pescadero, CA. This involves three main responsibilities:
   (a) Maintain complex airlift pump recirculating aquaculture system and quickly resolve technical problems to assure fish life support and availability of suitable aquaculture backwash water for plant irrigation.
   (b) Conduct daily experimental procedures and well-organized data collection of fish and plant life support variables.
   (c) Plan and implement steps to terminate the three experiments including fish, water, plant and soil sampling, time-sensitive sample processing, certain data collection, and sending certain samples to external labs for specific analyses.
2. Assist Professor Kapuscinski in drafting a major project report and visuals due in August 2025.
3. Co-develop a plan and implement final plan for hiatus of recirculating aquaculture systems at the off campus farm site, and update relevant digital documentation.
4. Proactively coordinate with Prof. Kapuscinski on all functions and, as appropriate, with undergraduate students, farm site collaborators and relevant members of Kapuscinski-Sarker Lab.

The position will require the incumbent to consistently demonstrate effective communication skills.

Applicants with any of the following areas of expertise and/or experience are strongly encouraged to apply: project management experience; hands-on research experience with life-support maintenance of airlift pump recirculating aquaculture systems; experience with integrated aquaculture-agriculture research methods: RAS water chemistry, microalgae feed-making & feeding, fish performance metrics, collecting & processing soil, plant & water samples; research experience for methods of aquaculture water chemistry, nutrient metrics and water sample collecting for metagenomic analysis; research experience with methods for soil chemistry and nutrient metrics and sampling for metagenomic analysis; research experience with native plant establishment and rapid growth metrics - wet and dry weights of leaf, stems and roots- and leaf area; experience with UCSC research procedures for ordering supplies and submitting travel claims; experience with IACUC protocol for fish care; and/or project involvement of undergraduate assistants or interns.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The selected candidate will be required to arrange their travel to and from the rural project site located near Pescadero, California. Therefore, the incumbent will be required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Kapuscinski Sarker Lab Group: https://kapsar.sites.ucsc.edu/

Environmental Studies Department: https://envs.ucsc.edu/

1. BA/BS degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in environmental studies, or a field relevant to the advertised position (e.g, fisheries and wildlife, aquaculture, agriculture, etc.).
2. Research experience in design, setup, operation and life-support maintenance of airlift pump recirculating aquaculture systems for rainbow trout.
3. Experience with research methods for an integrated aquaculture-agriculture system.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
  

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

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UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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