Background
Because of their high ecological value, native oyster beds are a focus of European conservation efforts. Against the background of ongoing and future restoration measures, the PROCEED project establishes an innovative and sustainable seed oyster production of the European oyster Ostrea edulis to support long-term restoration measures in the North Sea. The hatchery facility was installed within the existing AWI infrastructure on Helgoland in 2019. The associated research supports the technical optimization of oyster production and includes topics such as genetic diversity and the effects/control of pathogens.
The successful candidate will oversee and work in the production of small and large-scale microalgae for feeding all oyster stages in the hatchery. The candidate will also perform tasks related to the daily production and maintenance of processes within the oyster hatchery, with broodstock conditioning and/or larval rearing.
Tasks
The main duties include developing, technical management, and supervising of individual components involved in the Helgoland oyster hatchery. The job includes involvement in all steps of microalgae production, execution of routine processes for regulation, maintenance and operation of the facility and successful production.
The successful candidate will be included in the rotation of weekend services during the production season and support all processes within the hatchery production as needed, e.g., by cleaning and optimizing the aquaculture system inside the hatchery.
Technical facilities
- Cleaning and maintenance of the Helgoland Oyster Hatchery infrastructure (e.g. tank systems, offshore nursery structures)
- Support in the design, installation and management of additional structures e.g., field landers for oyster baskets
- During hatchery production: operation, cleaning and maintenance of microalgae cultures (small and large scale), feeding of all oyster stages
- Supervision of algae cultures, including the organization of the algae culture rooms and related tasks
Oyster husbandry
- Culture and monitoring of seed oysters (support of outdoor nursery)
- During hatchery production: e.g., oversee feeding of broodstock oysters and oyster spat, maintaining broodstock conditioning and/or larval rearing (standard hatchery production protocols)
General
- Deputy tasks within the multidisciplinary team
Requirements
We are looking for a motivated (aquaculture) technician or laboratory assistant, ideally with experience in the field of microalgae cultivation. The position requires an education as a biological-technical or marine-technical assistant or a comparable education. The tasks within the hatchery team can, to some extent be adapted to the background of the successful candidate.
The applicant should have good English language skills. The ability to speak or the willingness to learn the German language is mandatory, as a lot of the coordination is only possible in German. The readiness to work & communicate in an international team, as well as good coordination skills, are required. The position includes on-call and weekend duty at the hatchery.
Further Information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Dr. Bérenger Colsoul (berenger.colsoul@awi.de; +49 (0)151-6335-142) or visit the homepage of the Helgoland Oyster Hatchery (https://www.awi.de/en/science/biosciences/shelf-sea-system-ecology/main-research-focus/european-oyster/proceed/translate-to-english-hatchery.html).
This is a full-time position, limited until the end of September 2025. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level XX. The place of employment will be Helgoland.
The AWI is characterized by
- our scientific success – excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation – intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The AWI aims to increase the number of employees who are women, and therefore, strongly encourages qualified women to apply.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways and has received a number of awards as a result of this engagement.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application by October 3rd 2024, exclusively online.
Reference number:Â 24/39/D/Bio-b
For more information about the opportunity click here.