Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Specialist / Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Manager
(Posted 03/31/2025)

Target Audience(s): Technician/Staff


Institution: Stony Brook University

Institutional Web Link: http://www.stonybrook.edu/

Position Description: Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Specialist / Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Manager

The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University is seeking a Laboratory Specialist / Manager for the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory (FPML). The title / rank will be contingent upon the selected candidate's skill and experience in their area of expertise.

Located on the north shore of Long Island, NY, and approximately 3 miles from SBU's main campus, FPML has a long history in marine and atmospheric research, graduate/undergraduate education, and public outreach. FPML hosts multiple laboratories, teaching facilities, a greenhouse, a cold room, and a small workshop to support marine and atmospheric research. FPML is used by faculty, staff, and students from SBU and by external institutions, including the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The latest multi-million-dollar investment into FPML's infrastructure by New York State includes a new seawater supply and distribution system, a shellfish hatchery and an algae culture facility, floating platforms in Flax Pond for experimental shellfish outgrow, and new HVAC and generator for power back-up.

Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Specialist

Required Qualifications: (foreign equivalent or higher)
Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). In lieu of a Master's Degree, a Bachelor's Degree (foreign equivalent or higher) and two additional years of full-time experience described below may be considered. Three [3] years of full-time experience working in a research or teaching laboratory facility, field station, or public aquarium. Hands-on experience in facility administration, lab management, academic programming and outreach. Basic knowledge of mechanical systems and plumbing for laboratories and buildings. Must be physically able to lift items weighing up to fifty pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Marine Science or related field. Experience working in a marine or related science AAALAC/IACUC laboratory facility. Experience in a supervisory capacity. Experience in designing, constructing and troubleshooting recirculating and flow-through aquarium or aquaculture systems. Experience with finfish and shellfish husbandry. Knowledge and experience with lab safety procedures and protocols, inspections, and regulation compliance. Familiarity with saltmarsh ecology and resident-wetland fauna and flora. Teaching and public outreach experiences. Knowledge and experience with procurement processes.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Flax Pond Laboratory Specialist will serve as both the laboratory manager and facility/building manager and oversee FPML operation on a day-to-day basis. The Specialist will maintain the physical appearance of the laboratory as a safe, pleasing, uncluttered and effective workspace, organize and support efficient and productive research in the multi-purpose laboratories, thereby serving SoMAS' education, research, and outreach programs. The Specialist will report to the SoMAS Associate Dean for Facilities and will oversee, support, and monitor graduate, undergraduate, faculty and staff activities within the facility and in Flax Pond. The Specialist will train staff and/or students who may assist with laboratory management.

Overall Facility Administration:

• Maintain a safe and effective operation of the facility by ensuring all mechanical, electrical, and IT building systems are functional to support the laboratory's mission.
• Coordinate building access and space usage for the classroom, lab space and outside areas.
• Coordinate all activities undertaken by personnel, faculty, staff, and students.
• Provide emergency coverage for the facility with timely response in emergencies during off hours, arranging for relief coverage as needed.
• Respond to off-hour facility-related emergencies in a timely manner, e.g., to call-ins by University Police, fire marshall, HVAC, high voltage, plumbing, custodial, professors, students, the manager of the University's Off Campus Facilities or the laboratory monitoring system.

• Coordinate with university administrative and facilities services for maintenance, repairs and upkeep of the building and its support systems; oversee repairs and new construction.
• Serve as a designated lab safety officer for the facility and perform or arrange safety inspections for all laboratories. Facilitate the removal of hazardous waste with appropriate university departments.
• Coordinate invoicing, procuring goods and services through approved University vendors, and work with the Associate Dean for Facilities and the Flax Pond Committee to maintain an appropriate rate structure for Flax Pond to achieve a break-even status of its IFR account.
• Coordinate with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on issues related to the facility and pond management and assure compliance with DEC/SoMAS/SBU agreements.

Wet-lab Oversight:

• Assist researchers (faculty / staff / students) in the day-to-day operations of the wet labs.
• In collaboration with SoMAS and other campus professionals, oversee the design, construction and maintenance of aquaria or aquaculture systems, ensuring safe and appropriate operating conditions and seawater supply.
• Ensure regulation compliance, including AAALAC and IACUC animal welfare guidelines and other permits.

Academic Programming:

• Prepare classrooms, lab facilities, and/or field stations for academic instructional needs; procure supplies for the laboratories and classroom.
• Support K-5, K-12, undergraduate, graduate educational and public outreach programs.
• In collaboration with SoMAS and other campus professionals, they maintain and extend displays for outreach and science communication (posters, touch-tank aquaria, electronic media, and other displays).
• Assist as appropriate in collecting samples in Flax Pond for SoMAS research programs and educational activities.

Community Outreach:

• Serve as a point of contact to members of the public who visit the Flax Pond Laboratory.
• Conduct tours and programs of the Laboratory and the Pond for outside groups and special events, serving as naturalist when appropriate.
• Engage with local constituents and stakeholders (e.g., NYS DEC, elected officials, NGOs, and the neighboring community at large) and maintain community relations.
• Represent FPML and SoMAS at public events, workshops and conferences.

Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Manager

Required Qualifications: (as evidenced by an attached resume)
Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). In lieu of a Master's Degree, a Bachelor's Degree (foreign equivalent or higher) and two (2) additional years of full-time experience described below. Five (5) years of full-time experience working in a research facility, field station, or public aquarium. Hands-on experience in facility administration, lab management, academic programming and outreach. Experience building support systems and plumbing in a wet lab facility. Experience in a supervisory capacity. Must be physically able to lift items weighing up to fifty pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in Marine Science or related field. Experience in a marine research AAALAC/IACUC laboratory facility. Experience in designing, constructing and troubleshooting recirculating and flow-through aquarium or aquaculture systems. Experience with finfish and shellfish husbandry. Knowledge and experience with lab safety procedures and protocols, inspections, and regulation compliance. Familiarity with saltmarsh ecology and resident-wetland fauna and flora. Teaching and public outreach experiences. Knowledge and experience with procurement processes.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Flax Pond Laboratory Manager will serve as both the laboratory manager and facility/building manager and oversee FPML operation on a day-to-day basis. The manager will maintain the physical appearance of the laboratory as a safe, pleasing, uncluttered and effective workspace, organize and support efficient and productive research in the multi-purpose laboratories, thereby serving SoMAS's education, research, and outreach programs. The Manager will report to the SoMAS Associate Dean for Facilities and will oversee, support, and monitor graduate, undergraduate, faculty and staff activities within the facility and in Flax Pond. The manager will supervise staff and/or students who may assist with laboratory management.

Overall Facility Administration:

• Maintain a safe and effective operation of the facility by ensuring all mechanical, IT, and electrical building systems are functional to support the laboratory's mission.
• Manage building access and space usage for the classroom, lab space and outside areas.
• Supervise all activities undertaken by personnel, faculty, staff, and students.
• Provide emergency coverage for the facility with timely response in emergencies during off hours, arranging for relief coverage as needed.
• Respond to off-hour facility-related emergencies in a timely manner, e.g., to call-ins by University Police, fire marshall, HVAC, high voltage, plumbing, custodial, professors, students, the manager of the University's Off Campus Facilities or the laboratory monitoring system.
• Coordinate with university administrative and facilities services for maintenance, repairs and upkeep of the building and its support systems; oversee repairs and new construction.
• Serve as a designated lab safety officer for the facility and perform or arrange safety inspections for all laboratories. Facilitate the removal of hazardous waste with appropriate university departments.
• Serve as the financial account director; coordinate invoicing, procure goods and services through approved University vendors, and work with the Associate Dean for Facilities and the Flax Pond Committee to maintain an appropriate rate structure for Flax Pond to achieve a break-even status of its IFR account.
• Coordinate with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on issues related to the facility and pond management and assure compliance with DEC/SoMAS/SBU agreements.

Wet-lab Management:

• Supervise and assist researchers (faculty / staff / students) in the day-to-day management of the wet lab.
• Design, construct, and maintain aquaria or aquaculture systems, ensuring safe and appropriate operating conditions and seawater supply.
• Ensure regulation compliance, including AAALAC and IACUC animal welfare guidelines and other permits.

Academic Programming:

• Prepare classrooms, lab and/or field facilities for academic instructional needs; procure supplies for the laboratories and classroom.
• Develop, lead, and/or support K-5, K-12, undergraduate, graduate educational and public outreach programs.
• Maintain and extend displays for outreach and science communication (posters, touch-tank aquaria, electronic media, and other displays)
• Assist as appropriate in collecting samples in Flax Pond for SoMAS research programs and educational activities.

Community Outreach:

• Serve as a point of contact to members of the public who visit the Flax Pond Laboratory.
• Conduct tours and programs of the Laboratory and the Pond for outside groups and special events, serving as naturalist when appropriate.
• Engage with local constituents and stakeholders (e.g., NYS DEC, elected officials, NGOs, and the neighboring community at large) and maintain community relations.
• Represent FPML and SoMAS at public events, workshops and conferences.

Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Specialist: $82,000 - $96,000

Flax Pond Marine Laboratory Facility Manager: $103,000 - $122,000

For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.

Essential Position: This has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. Positions that are designated as such may be required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled, and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.

Evening and weekend work will be required at times.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at or visit https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/oea/.

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Visit ourhttps://www.stonybrook.edu/jobs/working-here/ page to learn about the total rewards we offer.

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Salary: $82,000 - $122,000

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6106566

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Position Type: Permanent Position

Funding Source(s): Other


Application Closing Date: Until position is filled.