Microalgae Production Lead or Microalgae Technician
Listed on 2026-03-05
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Science
Research Scientist, Environmental Science
Job Details
Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) is seeking a Microalgae Production Lead or Technician (level will be determined based on experience, technical expertise, and leadership capacity) to join our team at the Kenneth K. Chew Center for Research and Restoration (Chew Center), operated at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Manchester Research Station in Manchester, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula.
The position is responsible for the cultivation, maintenance, and monitoring of microalgae cultures to support hatchery production, research, and restoration. This role ensures reliable, high-quality algal feedstock through sterile technique, culture scaling, and environmental monitoring.
The employee will work both independently and collaboratively to maintain culture health, support larval rearing operations, and contribute to laboratory operations and data collection. The role supports accurate production tracking and well‑organized hatchery facilities, requires strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and the ability to complete physically demanding work in indoor and outdoor environments.
PSRF is a small, collaborative organization where staff support one another to ensure shared success. As we grow and evolve each time we bring on new team members, we seek to integrate the technician’s existing skills and talents into the role. The ideal candidate is passionate about marine conservation, comfortable working in an aquaculture production setting, and committed to seeing tasks through to accurate and timely completion.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES (Percentages are approximate and may fluctuate depending on the workload across the Chew Center)
- Maintain multiple strains of stock cultures using sterile transfer techniques
- Prepare sterile media and chemical solutions, including operation of an autoclave
- Produce harvest‑scale algae using continuous bag and batch culture systems
- Distribute algae to support hatchery feeding operations
- Conduct daily monitoring of growth rates, densities, and overall culture health
- Maintain algae culture equipment, lab spaces, and systems
- Manage inventory and order supplies for production
- Train and mentor staff, interns, and volunteers in culture techniques, sterile and safety protocols (Lead Level additional responsibility)
- Oversee production planning and quality control (Lead Level additional responsibility)
- Lead contamination response and culture troubleshooting (Lead Level additional responsibility)
- Refine SOPs and improve production efficiency (Lead Level additional responsibility)
- Assist with brood stock, larval, and juvenile culture systems (winter - spring)
- Support spat‑on‑shell production and inventory
- Participate in brood stock collection and intake
- Assist with transport of oysters for restoration out planting
- Maintain water treatment and life‑support systems, including filters, pumps, heaters, and heat exchangers
- Clean, repair, and replace plumbing and culture system components
- Assist with construction and ongoing maintenance of culture infrastructure
- Assist researchers and partners with data collection and monitoring
- Participate in intertidal fieldwork, including hiking on rocky beaches and mudflats
- Support year‑round field operations conducted in variable weather, tidal, and daylight conditions
- Perform heavy lifting associated with field operations
- Provide operational support to PSRF’s Bull Kelp Habitat Restoration Program
- Assist with kelp laboratory operations and culture work as needed
Microalgae Production Lead or Microalgae Technician
Required Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, environmental science, aquaculture, or related field; or 4 years of equivalent hands‑on experience.
- Experience working in an aquaculture, laboratory, or hatchery setting.
- Experience with microalgae culturing and sterile transfer protocols.
- Understanding of biosecurity principles, contamination prevention, detection,…
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