BML White Abalone​/Shellfish Health Jr. Specialist

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2.

Open date: November 12, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

JOB SUMMARY

The position is 100% (full‑time) and is located at UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory in Bodega Bay, CA. The role carries laboratory duties under the supervision of UC Davis Academic Administrator Dr. Frederick, director of the White Abalone Captive Breeding Program and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Shellfish Health Laboratory's Dr. Burge. The white abalone is an ESA‑listed endangered species that was over fished and is now on the brink of extinction.

Out planting of captive animals is the essential method of saving the species. The goal of this position is to contribute to the successful captive rearing and health maintenance of endangered white abalone as part of recovery efforts.

• Care for the captive population of endangered white abalone held at Bodega Marine Laboratory, including feeding animals, cleaning holding areas and seawater systems, changing filters, and maintaining pumps, temperature systems, UV units, LED lighting, and time clocks.
• Assist with the health maintenance of captive white abalone at Bodega Marine Laboratory and partner institutions, including performing health examinations, feces testing, qPCR, necropsy, and histology related to withering syndrome, shell‑boring organisms, and other abalone pathogens and symbionts.
• Assist in coordination of spawning attempts and animal transfers among Bodega Marine Laboratory and partner facilities.
• Assist in maintaining ongoing laboratory experiments related to white abalone health.
• Assist with acquiring food for captive white abalone, including field collection of wild kelp and other seaweeds, maintenance of a dulse culture, and travel to Monterey and other California areas to acquire harvested kelp.
• Assist with general laboratory operations: ordering supplies, organization, maintaining equipment, state and federal permits, and ensuring a safe laboratory environment. Prepare supplies for animal assessments and spawning events, acquire and manage samples, collaborate with animal care staff and volunteers, and develop schedules for animal care and life support system maintenance. Assist with laboratory safety information and training.
• Enter, organize, analyze, and interpret data. Opportunities for independence and leadership in research projects. Write and present on research for public and scientific audiences.
• Actively support ongoing research activities for students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff. This includes, but may not be limited to, reviewing and editing proposals, presenting results at scientific conferences, and providing feedback on manuscripts in preparation related to their area of expertise.
• Assist with writing progress and final reports for the Endangered Species permit and funding agencies.

• Participate in and contribute to the development of an inclusive and accessible working environment for the research program.
• Engage with the academic community at Bodega Marine Laboratory through participation in lab‑wide meetings and research seminars. Participate in appropriate professional societies, including presentations at professional meetings.

• Participate in the mentorship of undergraduates, interns, and volunteers in the laboratory.
• Serve on local departmental or institute committees based upon the Jr. Specialist's areas of interest.
• Participate in educational activities oriented to the public at Bodega Marine Laboratory and on campus, and present to regulatory agency staff as…