Coral Propagation & Culture Lab Coordinator III

About the role

The Coral Propagation and Culture Lab Coordinator III leads operations at the NOAA Galveston Deep Sea Coral Laboratory, supporting the MDBC restoration program. The role combines laboratory management, field collection, equipment prototyping, and scientific data analysis.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate staffing and maintain inventories of supplies and equipment for the coral culture facility.
• Maintain recirculating culture systems, conduct safety inspections, monitor water quality, and report malfunctions.
• Provide routine husbandry for live coral specimens, collaborating with staff and veterinarians.
• Participate in at‑sea surveys for broodstock collection and outplanting of laboratory‑reared specimens.
• Prototype novel equipment (e.g., 3D‑printed parts, acrylic glass fixtures) to improve coral husbandry.
• Respond to disease and bleaching outbreaks, transport specimens for treatment.
• Write SOPs, perform QA/QC data entry, and manage tracking sheets.
• Conduct parentage, regional, and health analyses; perform imagery analysis to assess growth and structure.
• Lead manuscript preparation, data analysis, graphing, and presentations; conduct tours and outreach as workload allows.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in marine sciences or related biology with at least 3 years of coral culture experience, OR 5 years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of water‑quality monitoring, aquaculture/mariculture, and animal husbandry concepts.
• Ability to work aboard federal and contract vessels and conduct field sampling.

Required skills

• Recirculating coral culture system maintenance
• Water‑quality monitoring and reporting
• 3D printing and acrylic fabrication
• SOP development and QA/QC data entry
• Parentage and health analysis
• Imagery analysis (photo, video, acoustic)
• Data analysis, visualization, and manuscript preparation

What we offer

• Negotiable hourly rate for a full‑time position
• Health and dental insurance
• Vacation, sick, and holiday benefits