Research Associate (CTAHR/ADSC, Magoon)

Posting number: 2026-01905

Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience

Division: Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center

Job classification: RESEARCH SUPPORT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Project Management, Research

Summary

Title: Research Associate

Position Number: 0077092

Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC)

Location: Magoon Research Station; Manoa, HI

Date Posted: September 1, 2026

Closing Date: September 18, 2026, 11:59PM HST

Band: B

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Other Conditions: For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by September 18, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. *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.
2. *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.
3. *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.
4. *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.
5. *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.
6. *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.
7. *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.
8. *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.
9. *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.
10. *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.
11. *Other duties as assigned.

*Denotes Essential Functions

Minimum Qualifications

1. 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 which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
2. 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 as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated 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.
5. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing and spreadsheet software.
8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide-ranging, complex operational and compliance problems through creative reasoning and scientific logic to accurately diagnose technical issues and implement innovative, timely resolutions.
12. Demonstrated capability to analyze and evaluate existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), formulating and independent-reviewing new operational practices to enhance facility safety and compliance.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Advanced proficiency in computing systems, including specialized data tracking software to compile analytical summaries and manage facility records.

Desirable Qualifications

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

TO APPLY: Click in the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2. Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV);
3. Description of experience;
   • Identify which previous employers you obtained the minimum four (4) years of professional experience in a research laboratory, scientific animal facility, or aquaculture research setting; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
4. Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
5. Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).
   • Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
   • Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Inquiries: Dr. Kevin Olival, kolival@hawaii.edu

Examples of duties

The University of Hawai'i 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: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment 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.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

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 Hawai'i 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: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/