Emerging Mariculture Crops Specialist

Emerging Mariculture Crops Specialist

Location: Kona, Hawaii (with up to 20% global travel)

Summary:

Forever Oceans is looking for an experienced and highly skilled aquaculture science professional to help identify and develop new and alternative plant and animal species for mass- scale mariculture production across the tropics. The Specialist is a subject-matter expert who will conduct both review and novel R&D studies to drive development of offshore production methods for seaweed, bivalves, and other alternative/innovative mariculture crops. This position reports to the Director of R&D and may also act as a support resource for Farm and Executive personnel, providing scientific guidance as required.

Successful candidates will have demonstrated expertise in marine macroalgal phycology and cultivation, with experience in growth and nutrient demand trials, reproduction/propogation, product quality and compositional analysis, and plant health management. Ideal candidates will also have some experience in mariculture of echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves or other molluscs. The position requires excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across a multicultural international organization. This position may require significant overseas travel and long hours in potentially adverse conditions. Forever Ocean's policy requires that all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

This position will be based at Forever Oceans' Research and Development Center (RDC) located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and may involve regular travel to Farm and partner facilities in Panama, Brazil and Indonesia.

Responsibilities:

? Design and execute novel research and technical development studies to commercialize

hatchery and offshore production practices for new/alternative mariculture crop species.

? Model and project production scenarios based on experimental and environmental data

to inform business planning, conservation programs, and carbon strategy.

? Simultaneously track and manage multiple projects across up to four international locations.

? Direct R&D Technicians in support of research activities as necessary.

? Make in-country site visits to farm and partner facilities to give or receive training and set up R&D projects. .

? In collaboration with Operations and Technology departments, support novel culture

systems design, deployment, installation, testing and operation.

? Possibility of international travel up to 10 weeks per year.

Desired Experience:

? 10+ years experience in cultivation and study of marine macroalgae and invertebrates in

academic and commercial settings.

? Experience reproducing and culturing multiple species of tropical macroalgae and

invertebrates, in hatchery and in offshore/longline systems.

? Demonstrated proficiency in technical and scientific writing.

? Experience communicating research results in written reports and presentations. Required Qualifications

? Demonstrated expertise in marine macroalgae cultivation and phycology.

? Technological literacy including proficiency with email, MS Office applications and/or Google Docs.

? Possession of or Ability to obtain Drivers License, Current CPR/First Aid and 02 provider

certifications, Hawaii Boater Safety Card, EFR certifications, passport and international visas.

? Masters degree in Biology, Botany, Marine Science, or related field.

? Bachelors degree and 5 years relevant commercial/scientific macroalgae study or cultivation experience may be substituted for Masters degree.

Desired Qualities:

? Critical/analytical thinker - able to foresee potential issues and come up with solutions to

complex problems .

? Organized and communicative; able to successfully track and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.

? Safety-conscious and self-aware: Understands and respects what working in the ocean and the developing world entails.

? Passion for working on cutting-edge technologies and eagerness to learn new things.

? Highly motivated to pursue ambitious goals on climate, carbon, food security and ocean health.

? Gameness: able to function and thrive under adverse or unorthodox conditions, in the ocean, jungle, desert, or conference room.

? Ability to relocate to Forever Oceans Research and Development center in Kailua-Kona, HI (exceptional candidates may receive special consideration re: location).