Research Associate, Seawater System (0081826)

Title: Research Associate (Seawater System)

Position Number:

Hiring Unit: RES & DEAN OF GRAD DIV SCH O&ES&T HAW INST OF MAR BIO

Location: Kaneohe HI

Date Posted: 3/5/2026

Closing Date: 4/17/2026

Band: B

Salary :salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Duties and Responsibilities

1.*Oversees and maintains the aquatic life support systems for HIMB marine laboratory facilities including HIMBs pump house and flow-through seawater distribution system.

2.*Operates and maintains all seawater life support systems including seawater intake lines backflushing and settlement tanks filters seawater lines and control systems.

3.*Collaborates with other facilities personnel to support maintenance of all HIMB facilities and support ongoing facilities projects.

4.*Develops long-term plans for seawater system upgrades and improvements in coordination with HIMB leadership and the HIMB Seawater Committee.

5.*Designs in collaboration with HIMBs scientists highly specialized marine laboratory grade seawater systems that supports research and teaching maintenance and troubleshooting including intake and distribution piping circulation pumps filtration and sterilization units and automated environmental control systems supporting scientific operations.

6.*Collaborates effectively with HIMB faculty students and staff to coordinate installation of new seawater projects and support ongoing research.

7.*Oversees and coordinates shared-use seawater facilities.

8.*Leads maintenance of the seawater system and leads regular changeovers between two parallel seawater delivery lines in coordination with HIMB labs.

9.*Leads in-water work to periodically exchange the intake pipes for HIMBs seawater intakes using a small boat and snorkel or SCUBA gear.

10.*Assists HIMB labs with system design installation and maintenance of seawater equipment including sand filters degassing systems pumps chillers etc.

11.*Works independently and manages schedules and plans for preventative maintenance and system upgrades.

12.*Works successfully with vendors and manufacturers to procure equipment and services to support the system.

13.*Works successfully with other HIMB facilities and operations personnel and promotes efficient and effective facilities operations.

14.*Coordinates work and supports larger seawater projects contracted to seawater design companies.

15.*Deploys and maintains a water quality monitoring system and maintains accurate records of maintenance activities water quality parameters and system performance.

16.*Works with HIMBs NPDES permit representative to ensure compliance with federal state and local regulations regarding water quality.

17.*Supports HIMB researchers to ensure compliance with animal care requirement as required by Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) protocols and experimental needs.

18.*Participates in emergency response procedures for life support system failures or power outages or other critical situations.

19.*Collaborates with HIMB Auxiliary and Facilities Services Officers Program Specialists and affiliated staff to sustain day-to-day operations in support of the institutes research and education mission.

20.*Supports Facilities projects through planning coordination and reporting.

other duties as assigned.

*Denotes Essential Function

Minimum Qualifications

of a baccalaureate education degree in engineering aquaculture marine biology biology natural resource management or related field and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for aquarium aquaculture or other seawater life-support systems; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills and abilities as indicated.

working knowledge of principles practices and techniques in the area of aquaristing or seawater system management as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts principles and methodologies.

working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws rules regulations and theories and systems associated with flow-through seawater life-support systems including NPDES discharge permits and IACUC regulations on animal care.

ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective innovative and timely manner.

ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.

ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations groups team leaders and members and individuals.

ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.

applicable for supervisor work demonstrated ability to lead subordinates manage work priorities and projects and manage employee relations.

with seawater Life Support Systems (LSS) equipment or any equivalent combination of training and experience (e.g. from commercial scale aquarium/aquaculture systems).

snorkeling in a working or research environment and comfortable working on and in the water to maintain seawater intake pipes.

in seawater system design and maintenance including electrical plumbing light carpentry and use of power tools.

problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

to work independently and as part of a team.

communication and organizational skills.

to work flexible hours including nights weekends and holidays.

be able to lift 50 lbs with or without assistance or broken down into smaller loads or utilizing standard equipment (e.g. carts dollies).

Desirable Qualifications

experience in marine animal life support experience in a private or public aquarium or marine laboratory facility is highly desirable.

of AALSO Certification.

-certified or able to become SCUBA certified upon hire to support service of seawater intakes and collection or relocation of marine animals.

To Apply:

Click on the Apply button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach 1) cover letter indicating your interest in this position and how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications 2) resume 3) the names and contact information (include title email and phone number) of at least three professional references and 4) copies of educational transcripts with confidential information (i.e. social security number birth date etc.) redacted. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Transcripts issued outside of the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services Inc. verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. The application will be considered incomplete if materials are unreadable.

Minimum qualifications must be met by the date of application.

If you submit more than one application only the most recent application will be considered.

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Inquiries:

The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information visit: is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions criminal history record checks.

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In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawaii complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information please refer to the following link: