Aquaculture Research and Relations Director

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

This position’s primary duty is to elevate CMS’s aquaculture enterprise in terms of position, reputation, products, and opportunities. They will help oversee efforts of both shellfish and finfish aquaculture facilities as well as the algal resource collection. Emphasis will be placed on research activities and building relationships both within and outside of UNCW.

This position will assist in identifying strategic opportunities and help gather and organize information from federal, state, local, private and corporate entities. Coordination of research related to aquaculture will include helping 1) helping set the strategic direction of the facilities, 2) organize, write and direct proposals and grants, and 3) help augment the use of aquaculture facilities by a broader cross-section of faculty. They will also have extension-related duties to promote opportunities with local communities, farmers, and relevant commercial enterprises. This position will also include other duties pertinent to aquaculture.

Successful candidate will lead UNCW’s Aquaculture Program. Specific responsibilities include:

• Build nationally and internationally recognized program
• Present research findings and publish research results
• Secure extramural funding to support staff, upgrade/replace equipment, expand/innovate research activities
• Augment the use of aquaculture facilities by a broader cross-section of faculty
• Coordinate collaborative research with other investigators and commercial entities
• Conduct public outreach activities to promote aquaculture research in North Carolina
• Maintain and enhance facilities and research infrastructure
• Hire/supervise students, interns, and staff conducting experimental studies
• Engage local, state and federal agencies to develop aquaculture opportunities for UNCW
• Teach upper-level graduate seminar in aquaculture, biotechnology, and/or translational research
• Responsibilities may include opportunities to teach courses in specialty

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Ph.D in aquaculture-related fields and five years of related experience, OR a Master’s degree with equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted on an exceptional basis. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Ph.D degree in Aquaculture
• Diverse portfolio of successful extramural grantsmanship as lead PI (e.g., funding from federal, state, foundation, industry sponsors)
• Experience with governmental agencies
• Experience with engaging external entities
• Experience with translational research
• Strong communication skills
• Strong team building skills

Required Certifications or Licensures None Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science (CMS) is recognized both nationally and internationally for conducting research that contributes to the understanding of environmental processes and problems. CMS strives to engage communities to address societal issues and promote use-inspired innovations.

Through research, education and outreach, the Center strives to increase knowledge about coastal and marine sciences and cultivate community engagement in coastal resilience. This includes a variety of fields such as physical oceanography; marine and coastal biology; marine, atmospheric and natural products chemistry; marine geology; aquaculture; environmental sciences, marine policy, human health, and sociology. Currently there are more than 100 active research programs supported by CMS and over 140 scientists, staff and students broadly associated with the unit. The teaching and research facility located on the Intracoastal Waterway in southeastern North Carolina features state of the art core facilities in spectrometry and spectroscopy, light stable isotopes, biotechnology, DNA and water quality analysis as well as running seawater systems, a coastal workboat fleet and a wide range of oceanographic equipment that are available to all CMS researchers. It also includes the State of North Carolina Shellfish Research Hatchery, a finfish hatchery, and an Algal Resource Collection (ARC). CMS supports educational programs related to marine science, including the Applied Coastal and Ocean Science Ph.D. program and MS Marine Science degree as well as courses and students from various marine-science related academic departments across the breadth of UNCW. It also supports several outreach entities, including NC Sea Grant, the NC National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Marine Quest, among others.