What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Research Associate, Aquaponics position at Kentucky State University?
TITLE: Senior Research Associate, Aquaponics
DEPARTMENT: TBD
REPORTS TO: State Specialist, Aquaculture
CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
JOB SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the PI, the Senior Research Associate, Aquaponics will assume research responsibilities, with a particular focus on executing and overseeing research projects focused on aquaponics and hydroponics. Research projects will utilize cutting-edge technologies, including metagenomics, 16S sequencing, and ICP-MS elemental testing. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and maintaining recirculating aquaculture systems, aquaponic systems, and hydroponic systems for research purposes, supervising students in their research endeavors, and taking the lead role in maintaining and enhancing the capabilities of the Aquaculture Genomics Laboratory. The hire will also pursue competitive funding opportunities and author publications derived from research projects.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Collaborate with the PI on the statistical design and execution of project-related research experiments, as well as data collection, management, analysis, and visualization.
- Provide mentorship, training, and supervision for undergraduate and graduate students engaged in aquaponic and hydroponic research projects.
- Assist the PI in developing grant proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Manage the Aquaculture Genomics Laboratory, including maintaining and training students and personnel on advanced laboratory equipment.
- Manage large datasets, including bioinformatics and water quality data files.
- Oversee the lab’s research systems and demonstration greenhouse and coordinate activities with other staff.
- Collect and store research samples including plant and fish tissue, microbial biofilms, and DNA/RNA
- Perform water quality testing using spectrophotometry including alkalinity, nitrogen, iron, etc.
- Contribute to the creation of research training materials, such as videos and brochures.
- Assist in the setup and maintenance of aquaponic systems, including monitoring water quality parameters and troubleshooting issues.
- Keep accurate records of experimental procedures, results, and observations.
- Coordinate research efforts with research partners and service providers in the areas of Genomics, Metagenomics, Water Quality, and Plant Sciences.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Organizing and coordinating skills.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision, but cooperatively with others.
- Demonstrated proficiency in organizing and coordinating tasks.
- Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
- Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
- Word processing and/or data entry.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Records maintenance skills.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
- This position entails supervisory responsibilities. The Senior Research Associate will operate under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator and play a pivotal role in managing the research team within the honey bee health and molecular biology lab.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Assist PI prepare annual and quarterly reports for grants.
- Review graduate research theses and student presentations.
- Supervise all lab personnel and activities
- Prepare, submit, and follow up on lab’s purchasing requests in accordance with university process
- Other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- MS in Aquaculture, Aquatic Science, Biology, Agriculture or related field and 3-5 years’ experience in aquaculture, aquaponics, or hydroponics.
- Must have knowledge and experience with advanced molecular techniques such as DNA & RNA extraction, PCR, and qPCR.
- Must have experience managing aquaculture, aquaponic, and hydroponic systems for research purposes.
- Must have experience with grant writing and peer-reviewed manuscript preparation.
- Must have experience conducting aquaponics field and lab experiments independently.
- Must have experience with identification of common plant pests and pathogens.
- Must have experience with identification of common fish diseases and parasites.
- Must have experience with protocol design and optimization.
- Must have experience with operation and routine maintenance of Agilent Technologies fragment analyzers, Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencers, Illumina short-read sequencers and Hach water testing equipment.
- Must have experience with statistical software including R, Statistix, SigmaPlot, or similar.
Licensing and Certifications:
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work will be performed in lab, office, and field environments.
- Will require working in hot/humid environments like greenhouses or wet labs.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds to perform aquaponics related tasks.
Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.
