Shellfish Hatchery Algae Technician – Orkney Islands

This permanent position will involve hands on work with batch and continuous algae production cultures to meet the ever expanding needs of a modern shellfish hatchery. The employee will work closely with the hatchery manager, as well as the other hatchery staff. The position is fundamental to all aspects of algal rearing including; inoculation and scale-up, general quality control and glassware cleaning, maintaining the controlled environment for the algae in the flask room, mixing of chemicals and vitamins and maintaining stocks of each, transfers of sterile algae, and the upkeep of the algae bio-reactor system, etc.

In the bulk algae area of the hatchery the technician is responsible for maintaining the algal bio-reactors, cleaning and sterilization and performing the necessary filter changes. On a daily basis required adjustments will need to be made to aeration, CO2 injection, water flow and pH. The algal technician will work closely with the hatchery manager performing daily harvesting of selected algal strains, determining feed rates based on background algal cell levels to ensure every success of the shellfish hatchery. The algal technician will assist with the hatchery and land based intensive nursery operations when needed and must be available during weekends and work to a roster as set by the hatchery manager.

The main duties and responsibilities will include managing nutrient and chemical stocks for algae production. Performing cleaning and sanitation duties for algae production equipment. Prepare flask, media, and algae production equipment for autoclaving. Perform algae flask culture in lab. Monitoring algae growth parameters in lab and algal bioreactors. Perform microalgae culture in continuous harvest algae bioreactor systems. Perform sanitation routines in continuous harvest algal bioreactor systems.

Perform microalgae culture in batch algae system, sanitation routines in batch algae system as wellas weekly sterilisation routines. Manage sanitation logs for lab and algal bioreactors. Assist the hatchery manager and technicians as needed. Washing of glassware and preparation of materials before and after autoclaving. Perform runs on all autoclaves. Decontamination and disposal of laboratory waste. Report anomalies following protocols to the hatchery manager. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will be willing to involve themselves with varied tasks as part of a close knit team and help build a happy and successful work place.

To perform the job successfully the ideal candidate requires a BSC in a science subject and preferably industry experience in microalgae, consideration will also be given to anyone with an equivalent qualification and experience. You must be able to participate as a team member, communicate with management and specialist consultants, strive to continuously build knowledge and skills of all algae growing techniques, respond promptly to the needs of the company, and meet commitments and deadlines. Crucially you must be able to work independently, flexibly and adapt to changing priorities as set by the company. The ideal candidate doesn’t have to have had previous experience operating algal bioreactors but must be willing to embrace current algal technologies.

A current Class B United Kingdom or equivalent European or International drivers license is required.

The role does require regular physical work and the employee may frequently be required to lift up to 20 kg/ 50 pounds. Proper lifting techniques and back supports should be used when working with heavy materials. In addition the use of safety gear is required for all pertinent jobs. There will typically be other co-workers that can assist with jobs that require substantial lifting, etc.

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

Most work is performed inside the inoculation and scale-up room and algal bioreactor areas.
At times you will be required to work within the shellfish hatchery where oyster and lobsters will be cultured.

This role provides the successful candidate with an unprecedented opportunity to be involved in this organisation as it grows. A competitive salary, including bonuses is on offer to the successful candidate.

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