Algae Hatchery Technician

Number of employees

50

Harpswell, Maine, United States

Posted on: 2022-09-08

Category: renewables

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Expired

Employment type:

Full time

Experience required:

Intermediate

Salary

Salary not provided

About the company:

At Running Tide, we build technologies that allow us to harness the power of the ocean to build a climate positive future. Oceans represent two-thirds of the Earth’s surface and have an understated role to play in the future of our life on Earth. Once abundant marine ecosystems and thriving coastal communities are now suffering due to pollution, ocean acidification and declining water quality. At Running Tide, we have experienced this firsthand, and we know the problem won't solve itself. That’s why we are building technologies to accelerate, scale and optimize the naturally restorative benefits of shellfish and kelp in the ocean. 

Our technologies enable us to rebuild food systems that are zero carbon and provide positive ecosystem services. Our shellfish production is mostly automated, entirely data-driven, and takes up a only a fraction of the space as traditional shellfish operations. Shellfish are the optimal protein for a growing population because they are delicious, healthy, and climate positive.

We are also building the most efficient carbon removal system in the world. Kelp is a macroalgae that absorbs CO2 from the water as it grows. Using ocean currents and gravity we sink the kelp and its embodied carbon to the deep ocean where it remains for thousands of years. Our technologies enable us to reduce the cost, predict outcomes, and massively scale carbon removal. 

Using our technologies and production capabilities of our shellfish and kelp hatcheries, we also restore Blue Carbon habitats in coastal ecosystems. Our coastal shellfish reefs, kelp forests and seagrass meadows are engines for biodiversity and job creation, however these ecosystems are severely degraded all over the world. These ecosystems drive direct economic value to coastal communities and protect our coasts from storms and erosion. Only active restoration efforts will bring these systems back into balance, giving future generations the opportunity to benefit from the ocean's bounty.

Running Tide is an ocean technology company built to tackle humanity’s most urgent challenge: climate change. We build cutting-edge solutions that integrate engineered and biological systems to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, restore ecosystems, and secure food systems. Our multidisciplinary team of world-class scientists, engineers and maritime operators is working as fast as possible while the world is burning. 

The Algae Technician will play an important role in the daily care of all microalgae species. A suitable candidate will contribute to all aspects of feeding and caring for algae across bag and K-tube systems, which will include monitoring, counting, inspection under a microscope, transfers, and data analysis. The Algae Technician will ensure that algae cultures consistently have a clean and productive environment in order to achieve optimal growth and quality standards.

This position also requires a flexible work schedule that sometimes varies in the number of hours worked in a day, or in which the stop and start times in a day may vary. This may include working at any hour of the day (in the case of water quality/mechanical emergency), and workdays in excess of eight hours. The employee must also be able to work weekends on a rotating schedule.

Our teams operate with utmost persistence. We are tackling the world’s most difficult and important problems, and we are unwavering in our motivation to find a solution. At our core, we are innovators driven to do "more good" rather than "less bad" in the world.

Running Tide is committed to building a diverse team, bringing as many possible perspectives to bear on the unprecedented challenges facing our planet. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds  can come to do their best work.

All offers of employment at Running Tide are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.

You Will:

  • Perform duties accurately and according to protocols, providing optimal care to the algae independently and with minimal supervision, once trained.
  • Monitor algae culture vessels from start to finish; assist in fabrication, setup, inoculation, harvesting, teardown, and cleaning of components.
  • Prepare media, monitor cultures, maintain axenicity, and take samples
  • Routinely clean culture systems (tanks, plumbing, pumps, etc)
  • Consistently monitor system water quality and perform routine water quality tests
  • Maintain daily records of care activities and observations, noting patterns and changes.
  • Inspect algae material using a dissecting and/or compound microscope.
  • Assist with and maintain inventory of equipment and supplies.
  • Daily administering and monitoring of algae production and feedings, monitoring appropriate cell counts in shellfish culture tanks
  • Perform other duties as needed or directed by the supervisor.
  • You Are (or You Have):

  • A degree in marine phycology, marine biology/ecology, aquaculture, aquatic chemistry, or another related field
  • Able to work well independently, and as part of a team
  • Self-motivated and well organized
  • Good time management skills and multi-tasking abilities
  • A general knowledge of aquaculture
  • Able to complete repetitive tasks with a consistent level of efficiency/quality
  • Good communication and data collection/management skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft office programs and Google Suite (Excel, Google docs, etc)
  • -At least 1 year prior experience in a microalgal production facility or shellfish aquaculture facility where algae culture is a critical component of operations
  • Physical and Other Requirements

  • Ability to work at least 40 hours per week; including occasional weekends and holidays
  • Ability to stand for extended periods, both inside an air-conditioned indoor lab with concrete floors and outside on on uneven surfaces.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to perform fine manipulations with hands and fingers.
  • Ability to use simple arithmetic skills in performing duties.
  • Ability or willingness to learn to utilize laboratory equipment and work in a sterile environment.
  • Ability to work with and around chemicals such as bleach and acid, following all safety guidelines
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