Shellfish Positions AvailableSubmit your job opportunity in paragraph form to us by clicking here. Include job details in the body of the email or as an attachment. (.doc or .pdf). The 'posted' date is when the job was posted to THIS job board, not when the position opened.Announcements will be removed after 3 months unless otherwise indicated in the post. Oyster Farm Operations Lead (Maine, USA): Deer Isle Oyster Company is seeking a motivated, reliable, highly organized and energetic Oyster Farm Operations Lead to oversee day-to-day farming operations. This management role entails tracking and maintaining seed stock, sorting, culling, and grading oysters, as well as managing biofouling and landing market-sized product. The Operations Lead will work with a farm crew of 2-3 individuals and is expected to exhibit excellent communication, safety awareness, strong prioritization skills, and compassionate leadership. Candidates who can adapt and problem-solve effectively in a fast-paced environment are valued. The position entails 5-day, 40-hour workweeks from March/April through December, with potential for year-round employment based on performance. Key Responsibilities: Safely run a variety of outboard workboats; Lead a 2-3 person farm crew with a focus on safety, productivity & team harmony; Communicate effectively with the Events Coordinator, Chief Operations Officer and Owner about farm harvest, operations and needs; Operate processing equipment on the oyster float, including solar powered tumbler and pumps; Plan daily schedules around farm accessibility and seasonal needs; Raise and lower farm infrastructure in spring and fall; Deploy and sort oyster seed; Maintain appropriate stocking densities of oyster inventory on the farm; Adhere to state Vibrio regulations for safe oyster handling; Harvest market-ready oysters to meet company quality specifications; Prevent and manage biofouling on gear, equipment, and oysters; Conduct record-keeping for quality control, inventory, and farm maintenance; Utilize Google Suite and other applications for reporting, logging, and maintenance records; Repair, maintain, and keep inventory of gear as necessary; Support data collection for plastic-free aquaculture initiatives as required; Collaborate with the owner and COO to improve farm efficiency and evaluate new technologies; Support polyculture diversification. Qualifications: Minimum 2 years of experience working with and handling small boats (aquaculture farming experience preferred), Valid driver's license; Strong, clear communication skills; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions from March to December; Physical capacity to work on your feet on the water, and lift/push/pull up to 50+ lbs; Willingness to live or relocate within a reasonable commuting distance to the farm; Experience steering and safely maneuvering 20-25’ boats with outboards (helm and tiller steering); Competency in rowing; Familiarity with operating and maintaining winches, haulers, and pumps. Preferred Skills and Traits: Highly organized and adaptable to new challenges; Troubleshooting skills and the ability to address issues quickly; Enthusiastic about outdoor work environments, sustainability, aquaculture, and small business; Capable of working both independently and collaboratively. How to Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to: [email protected] (posted 1/24/26) Oyster Farmhand (Maine, USA): Deer Isle Oyster Company is seeking a hardworking, reliable, and enthusiastic farmhand to join our team for the upcoming season. This position involves a variety of hands-on tasks across our oyster and seaweed farm, and you'll have the opportunity to work outdoors, learn about aquaculture practices, and contribute to a growing, innovative business. Preferred April/May start with flexible end date, October-December. Key responsibilities include Oyster Farming: Harvest, sort, tumble, clean, bag, and wash/prepare oysters for market; assist with oyster delivery, deploy & flip gear as needed; Urchin & Kelp Farming: Harvest, grade process sugar kelp, tend/feed sea urchins; and Maintenance: Repair/build farm gear, maintain boats and equipment, and assist with the upkeep of the farm's shop & facilities. Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (personal vehicle required); Comfortable working on the water and in all weather conditions; Ability to swim and do tedious, highly physical tasks in an exposed, outdoor setting; Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs over slippery and uneven surfaces; Willing to work long days/flexible hours & some weekends; Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn; Interest in aquaculture & sustainability practices; Ability to adapt to changing schedules and tasks in a fast-paced environment. Compensation & Benefits: Hourly wage with mid-season raise potential; Opportunity to learn about aquaculture, emerging species and sustainable farming practices; and Culled oysters available for personal consumption. Please send a brief cover letter, resume, and three references to: [email protected] (posted 1/24/26) Research Associate I (Marine Aquaculture) (Florida, USA): The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami is seeking a Research Associate I position to conduct activities for ongoing marine aquaculture research projects. Duties include:Feeding organisms (fish and bivalves), cleaning, and general maintenance; Microalgae culture and maintenance; Bivalve (Oyster) culture and maintenance; Macroalgae cultivation and maintenance; Data recording and reporting; Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) operation and maintenance; Larval rearing trials: set up, execution, data recording; Assisting in preparation of progress reports to the funding sources; Assist with capture, transport, acclimation, and management of UMEH broodstock organisms; Caring for various life stages of multiple marine species (fish, bivalves, micro- and macroalgae) housed at the UM – Rosenstiel School and in other projects UM Shellfish Hatchery Manager (Connecticut, USA): Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide shellfish hatchery management for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Milford Laboratory in Milford, CT. This position will provide support for the Northeast Oyster Breeding Center's Milford hatchery and its contributions to the Interagency agreement with USDA/ARS, essentially production of up to 100 separate oyster lines per year by June of each year. The position shall: Support Operation of the Northeast Oyster Breeding Center hatchery and nursery with logistical, organizational, and documentation responsibilities; Coordinate activities and interactions of project teams on a daily basis, including organizing team meetings and scheduling to accomplish spawning and rearing of multiple genetic oyster lines; Document all activities, including meeting notes, archiving of technical data, and budget summaries; Respond to quantitative data calls, including technical accomplishments, expenditures, and reporting of issues and solutions; Interface weekly with Agency managers to receive direction and report progress, once a week at minimum; Possess a valid US issued driver’s license and have the ability to drive a government vehicle; Extract and compile data on system performance and project accomplishments; Graphically portray summary data for presentation by project managers; Be aware of and enforce safety and environmental compliance rules; Maintain compliance with all labeling conventions; Understand safety procedures in the laboratory, handle chemicals, do basic chemical safety, and dispose of chemical reagents in compliance with state regulations; Correctly label chemicals and chemical hazardous waste; Assure use and updating as necessary of relevant SOP; Provide detailed laboratory notebooks of sample analysis when requested; Record data for all SOP on chemical analysis; Apply quality control to samples and troubleshoot common laboratory problems; Communicate system and equipment failures to facilities staff and project managers; Support coordinated interactions between lab staff, extension, and participating constituents; Participate in field trips to distribute seed oysters and information to participating constituents; Attend scientific and educational conferences to promote results and implications of assigned tasks; Present research material and network on current and future projects, verbally and in writing, including participation in preparation of peer-reviewed publications; Develop and monitor workflows for QA/QC of operations and research; Represent and resolve IT issues. Minimum requirements: Bachelor or graduate degree in management or technical field related to project organization and management; Logistical support of complex, technical projects, archiving and organizing technical data and QA/QC of data and graphical displays across various disciplines; Demonstrated ability to manage a production shellfish hatchery; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Willingness to work as part of a research team; Proficient in using MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, Google Suite and other software applications typically used in this line of work; Familiarity with shellfish rearing including oyster, life-history manipulation, and support system design and operation. Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following: Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed; Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education; Education; Previous experience or training with similar requirements; Three professional references; Include your name in the document file name; Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). For full job description and to apply: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=9a93435d-91d4-4a65-8a21-2de9187df1dd&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=605152&lang=en_US&source=CC2 (posted 12/19/25) Shellfish Hatchery/Field Technician (Maryland, USA): Morgan State University Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory (MSU PEARL) is seeking to hire a hatchery/ field technician for the 2026 hatchery season to work with eastern oysters and soft-shell clams. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Hatchery Duties- Keep detailed and organized records for all daily hatchery processes. Microalgal Culture, Media preparation, Assisting with inoculations (carboys, kwalls), Counting algae and calculating feeding, algal culture health assessments, Water quality monitoring; Broodstock Daily maintenance (cleaning and feeding), Conditioning assessment, Spawning (natural and strip spawning); Larval Culture Water changes (3x/week), Counting larvae (health assessment, measuring, recording data, restocking), Feeding; Setting and post-set, Preparation of setting tank (microcultch and cultchless setting), Setting larvae, Daily maintenance (cleaning, feeding, health assessment), Grading seed. Field Duties- Deploy seed from nursery in the field, Assist with fieldwork at partner oyster farms, Oyster bag maintenance (splitting bags, replace floats, repair broken gear, remove dead oysters), Record fieldwork and maintain shellfish inventory, Sampling shellfish (record measurements), Powerwash dirty gear. Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma, Valid Driver’s License with reliable transportation to and from work, Ability to lift 50lbs, Ability to complete repetitive tasks well and efficiently, Willingness to work in challenging physical conditions (rain, cold, heat, wind), Experience with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Flexible schedule including occasional weekend shifts and holiday coverage. Preferred Qualifications: BS in Biology or related field preferred, Experience working in a field station or biological research laboratory setting, Attention to detail, ability to record all pertinent data for research purposes, Excellent time management skills, Experience working in a shellfish hatchery. This is a full-time contractual one-year position, with the possibility of extension given available funds and satisfactory performance. The annual salary rate for the position ranges between $50,000- $60,000, commensurate with experience. To apply: Please email resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to [email protected] with “Hatchery/Field Technician” as the subject line. (posted 11/5/2025) Research Assistant III/IV (Alabama, USA): Auburn University is looking to hire a Research Assistant III/IV - Research Associate I/II/III Position term 4 years: continuation contingent upon funding and performance in the position. This position is located in Mobile, Alabama at the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center (AUMERC) with work being done in the Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay. The individual selected for this position will be responsible for assisting the Pls of AUMERC in ongoing grant-funded extension and research projects including but not limited to an investigation of estuarine and nearshore microbial/physicochemical water quality conditions, evaluation of oyster restoration locations and approaches, Oyster Gardening programs located in both Mississippi and Alabama, as well as additional projects related to the study of water and habitat quality within the greater Mobile Bay area. This position will require significant time spent in the field and on AUMERC vessels where working conditions can be wet, muddy, hot, and sunny. The position will require regular scuba diving in low to zero visibility conditions of Mobile Bay and the MS Sound. There will also be regular lab and office work including meetings. The selected candidate should be comfortable in all the above-mentioned settings. Limited overnight travel may be necessary while same-day travel will be routine. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Assist PIs with the extension and research projects listed in the job summary above, with primary responsibility being within nearshore water quality investigations; Assist AUMERC staff with the care, maintenance, and calibration of field and lab equipment; Collection and analysis of field samples (e.g., water, oysters, and algae); Maintain records/databases and files of research; Assist with grant reporting and publication; Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or as needed; *Salary commensurate with education and experience. Must possess excellent written and oral communication (public engagement) skills, as well as being competent at following protocols/instructions and well organized; The candidate must also be able to work independently, be SCUBA certified, be willing to work in all types of weather conditions, and able to lift up to 50 lbs. Desired qualifications include the following: Thesis based MS in Marine Biology, Fisheries, Environmental Science or closely related field completed by the time of hire; Boat driving/docking experience under a variety of conditions; Field data collection; Multiparameter instrument handling/logging; Oyster/water sample collection; Open water SCUBA certification; Hands-on experience with typical laboratory equipment (e.g., drying ovens, microscopes, and autoclaves). For complete job description/requirements or to apply: https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56467 (posted 10/29/2025). |