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, aquaculture, 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. 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.
College Center for Marine Science - 306 College
College/School Information
University Information
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.
Location of Workplace CMS Myrtle Grove
Brief Summary of Work for this Position
The Research Specialist provides molecular genetic analysis to achieve program goals and meet extramurally funded project objectives within the Shellfish Research Hatchery (SRH). This position will support the SRH breeding program by conducting experiments, performing data analysis, and managing the daily operations within the lab.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Laboratory management, including inventory control, equipment maintenance, scheduling of all activities within the lab, manage compliance with safety measures and guidelines
Collection and analysis of data as well as development, adaptation, and/or modification of protocols as needed based on interpretation of data
Collaborating with director to modify, update, or implement new breeding strategies
Coauthor/author reports, presentations at scientific conferences, and manuscripts
Assisting in spawning activities

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment and at least 1 year of directly related experience; or equivalent combination of training and/or related experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Preferred education, professional skills and experience
MS in in relevant (molecular genetics/quantitative genetics/population genetics/bioinformatics/animal breeding, quantitative genetics)
Experience with microsatellites, DNA sequencing, qPCR, genetic analysis of large SNP datasets, GWAS and/or genomic selection
Knowledge of animal or plant breeding with preference to candidates with experience in fish or shellfish biology
Evidence of experience in managing large databases
Ability to work and communicate effectively in a group environment, operate as part of a team working together to achieve safe and efficient operation of the hatchery systems
Required Certifications or licensure