Research Associate (CTAHR/ADSC, Magoon)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This position manages specialized scientific operations for the Small Animal Facility (SAF) and the Tuahine Aquaculture Research and Education Center (TAREC) under the general administrative direction of the Magoon Facility Manager and in alignment with CTAHR research leadership. The role serves as the designated Animal Care and Biosafety Officer for SAF and TAREC, enforcing institutional compliance with federal, state, and university laws regarding animal welfare, biohazard containment, and secure chemical utilization. The Research Associate collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs) to operationalize complex scientific research protocols, overseeing the precise execution of trial phases relating to animal nutrition, chemical analysis, aquaculture environmental metrics, and terrestrial/aquatic behavior monitoring. This role is the primary operational liaison to the UH System Office of Research Compliance (including IACUC and Environmental Health and Safety), leading regular facility audits, hosting inspectors, and correcting protocol variances immediately to preserve facility certifications. The position oversees high-level technical asset validation and infrastructure readiness, administering calibration protocols, maintenance schedules, and biosafety verification logs for specialized instrumentation, commercial autoclaves, and closed-loop aquaculture life-support systems. It directs the facility training and personnel safety program, designing and conducting standardized instructional orientations for graduate researchers, undergraduate students, and temporary research assistants in approved animal care procedures and bio-containment methods. The role manages the specialized chemical lifecycle and hazardous materials program, auditing research inventories, tracking restricted-use agents, and ensuring all site laboratories maintain compliant, up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and disposal logs. It administers the facility procurement and supply chain logistics, formulating specialized equipment and vendor service specifications, evaluating contractor bids for critical technical repairs, and managing the localized operational budget for SAF and TAREC. The Research Associate maintains authoritative facility research registries and data streams, tracking experimental animal inventories, veterinary history files, water quality telemetry, and compliance documentation required for reporting to federal oversight bodies. Additionally, the role coordinates with UH Facilities Management and the Magoon Facility Manager to project, draft, and track structural maintenance and capital improvement needs unique to the specialized laboratory and aquatic infrastructure. Other duties as assigned are considered essential functions.

Requirements

Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Biological Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Animal/Poultry Science, Marine Biology/Aquaculture, or a related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a research laboratory, scientific animal facility, or aquaculture research setting; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience.
Considerable working knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques involved in the area of professional management of terrestrial and aquatic research animals, including controlled housing, specialized animal nutrition, and biosecurity protocols.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with regulatory frameworks governing research compliance, including strict animal welfare laws, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, institutional biosafety standards, and the secure handling of hazardous materials.
Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing and spreadsheet software.
Demonstrated professional experience working within a research facility handling livestock, poultry, or aquatic models, with a comprehensive understanding of experimental laboratory techniques and clinical observation methods.
Demonstrated ability to administer, calibrate, and oversee the maintenance of highly specialized technical assets, including commercial autoclaves, precision laboratory instrumentation, and complex closed-loop aquaculture life-support systems.
Demonstrated ability to resolve wide-ranging, complex operational and compliance problems through creative reasoning and scientific logic.
Demonstrated capability to analyze and evaluate existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), formulating and independent-reviewing new operational practices to enhance facility safety and compliance.
Demonstrated training capability, with the ability to lead, prioritize, and train graduate researchers, student assistants, and support staff in approved clinical animal care procedures and bio-containment methods.
Demonstrated proficiency in professional and scientific communications, with the ability to write technical compliance reports, author standard operating procedures, maintain precise research registries, and present data clearly to regulatory bodies and principal investigators.
Advanced proficiency in computing systems, including specialized data tracking software to compile analytical summaries and manage facility records.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Animal Science, Marine Biology/Aquaculture, Biology, Public Health (Biosafety), or a closely related scientific discipline.
Previous experience serving as a designated biosafety officer or compliance coordinator within university research setting or highly regulated scientific institution.
Advanced training or certification in laboratory animal science (such as AALAS certification) or specialized aquatic system management.
Familiarity with University of Hawaii environmental health and safety procedures, hazardous waste disposal workflows, and IACUC online reporting systems.
Demonstrated experience analyzing nutritional formulations or biochemical data sheets to support complex livestock or aquaculture research trials.

Responsibilities

Manages specialized scientific operations for the Small Animal Facility (SAF) and the Tuahine Aquaculture Research and Education Center (TAREC).
Serves as the designated Animal Care and Biosafety Officer for SAF and TAREC, enforcing institutional compliance with federal, state, and university laws regarding animal welfare, biohazard containment, and secure chemical utilization.
Collaborates with Principal Investigators (PIs) to operationalize complex scientific research protocols, overseeing the precise execution of trial phases relating to animal nutrition, chemical analysis, aquaculture environmental metrics, and terrestrial/aquatic behavior monitoring.
Serves as the primary operational liaison to the UH System Office of Research Compliance (including IACUC and Environmental Health and Safety), leading regular facility audits, hosting inspectors, and correcting protocol variances immediately to preserve facility certifications.
Oversees high-level technical asset validation and infrastructure readiness, administering calibration protocols, maintenance schedules, and biosafety verification logs for specialized instrumentation, commercial autoclaves, and closed-loop aquaculture life-support systems.
Directs the facility training and personnel safety program, designing and conducting standardized instructional orientations for graduate researchers, undergraduate students, and temporary research assistants in approved animal care procedures and bio-containment methods.
Manages the specialized chemical lifecycle and hazardous materials program, auditing research inventories, tracking restricted-use agents, and ensuring all site laboratories maintain compliant, up-to-date Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and disposal logs.
Administers the facility procurement and supply chain logistics, formulating specialized equipment and vendor service specifications, evaluating contractor bids for critical technical repairs, and managing the localized operational budget for SAF and TAREC.
Maintains authoritative facility research registries and data streams, tracking experimental animal inventories, veterinary history files, water quality telemetry, and compliance documentation required for reporting to federal oversight bodies.
Coordinates with UH Facilities Management and the Magoon Facility Manager to project, draft, and track structural maintenance and capital improvement needs unique to the specialized laboratory and aquatic infrastructure.