Aquatics Manager

Howard Hughes Medical Institute • Ashburn, VA

12d

About The Position

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing a department specializing in aquatic animal models—including zebrafish, danionella, and periodically other aquatic species. This role will provide program direction and guidance to ensure the care for the research models and services provided to the labs, upholds high standards of quality and directly support the scientific vision and advancement of the labs. The manager fosters a collaborative, accountable, and continuously improving environment, ensuring operational excellence and supporting groundbreaking research across multiple disciplines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Biology, Aquaculture, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in aquatic animal husbandry, facility management, and transgenic line creation for zebrafish, danionella, or other models.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory standards and compliance requirements for aquatic animal research.
• Technical expertise with aquatic system technologies, including filtration, water quality monitoring, and life-support maintenance.
• Proven leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills gained in a research or technical facility.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams while also operating independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with researchers, staff, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and program oversight for all aspects of the Aquatics program, integrating technical, husbandry, and systems operations while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Cultivate team development and mentorship , guiding staff in best practices, leadership growth, and professional learning to strengthen program capabilities.
• Ensure excellence in animal care and welfare by overseeing husbandry for zebrafish, danionella, and other aquatic species; maintaining critical life-support systems; and ensuring compliance with IACUC, HHMI, and regulatory standards.
• Advance scientific research support by partnering with labs and Shared Resource departments, aligning facility services with experimental needs, providing routine updates, and promoting collaboration between researchers and facility staff.
• Oversee transgenic and genetically modified line development , including creation, maintenance, and detailed lineage tracking to support scientific objectives.
• Manage financial and operational resources for the Aquatics program, including budgeting, forecasting, inventory, and capital planning to ensure sustainability and efficiency.

Benefits

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• An opportunity to broaden research experience in a collaborative environment.
• A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment of collaboration.
• Professional development opportunities through internal and external conferences and workshops.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees