Mariculture Product Development Specialist

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Sea Grant program is seeking a mariculture product development specialist to pioneer the development of innovative and marketable mariculture and seafood products. This position is integral to a multidisciplinary team engaged in a farm/harvest-to-plate extension and applied research program.

Based at the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center (KSMSC) in Kodiak, Alaska, the position has full access to a unique facility equipped with a test kitchen, a pilot seafood processing plant, laboratories, and classrooms. KSMSC serves as Alaska’s premier hub for workforce development and applied research in the seafood processing, harvesting and mariculture industries.   

The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team including Alaska Sea Grant extension specialists in business and marketing, seafood technology. This position will work closely with mariculture and seafood industries in all phases of product development and processing, from stabilization of raw materials to cost optimization of production process, including test marketing of innovative product forms. The associate will develop and deliver content during training workshops, publication of extension materials and conducting one-on-one consultations to industry. 

The successful candidate has a MS in Food Science or other related field as well as knowledge of and experience in food product development and production processes, procedures, and regulations. We seek someone with excellent collaboration and project management skills as well as an ability to effectively communicate complex scientific topics and content in a culturally appropriate manner via print, electronic media (video, radio, email, social), and in-person communication. Knowledge of and experience in seafood/food product development and production processes, procedures, and regulations.

We are looking for a knowledgeable professional with experience in fisheries-dependent communities and the commercial seafood industry to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to work independently, managing complex tasks, deadlines, and budgets for both internal and external projects. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, including advanced abilities to write and edit reports and educational materials. This role requires expertise in planning, developing, and delivering educational training to students of all ages and backgrounds, and effectively communicating complex scientific topics in culturally appropriate ways across multiple media platforms, including print, video, radio, email, social media, and in-person events. Successful candidates will bring strong collaboration and project management skills, a keen eye for data analysis and trend identification, and experience working with diverse stakeholders, particularly within the food and seafood industries. Experience in rural and Alaska Native communities and familiarity with Alaska's diverse cultures and knowledge systems are highly valued.

Minimum Qualifications:

MS in Food Science, with focus on food/seafood product development, or other related discipline.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus in Kodiak. This is a full-time, 9-month, term-funded faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Faculty salary is based on education and experience. 

Applications will be accepted for review on April 7th, 2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on April 6th, 2025.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). https://unitedacademicsak.org/

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Ashley Lindsoe, Signers' Business Office Human Resources Manager, at aclindsoe@alaska.edu or 907-474-5664.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.