Laboratory Coordinator Shoals Marine Lab

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This position focuses on instruction, coordination, and support to ensure the successful delivery of Shoals Marine Laboratory's academic programs on Appledore Island. Responsibilities include organizing and guiding instructors, training teaching assistants and students, and supervising the use of teaching equipment. The role also involves serving as scientific crew on research vessels, providing classroom instruction and field trip leadership, and maintaining biological specimen collections. A comprehensive knowledge of Gulf of Maine fauna and flora is essential, as is the ability to balance multiple programs and adapt to evolving needs.

Additionally, the position oversees research and teaching laboratory inventory, manages specimen collection in compliance with permits, and collaborates with local fishermen and agencies to acquire needed specimens. The individual fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment, provides facility tours, and assists with store operations. Availability for emergency response while on duty, serving as a crew member on commercial or oceanographic vessels, and potentially participating in scientific diving if qualified are also key responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Duties/Responsibilities

• This is an instruction, coordination, and support position that emphasizes successful academic program delivery by Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the fauna and flora of the Gulf of Maine is expected.
• Organize and guide instructors.
• Supervise and train teaching assistants and SML participants (including but not limited to students, adult education courses, user groups, visiting lecturers, student and faculty researchers) in the use and/or operation of teaching equipment and supplies,
• Serve as scientific crew on SML's research vessels to optimize participants educational experiences.
• Must balance competing needs of multiple concurrent programs and be diplomatic in dealing with instructors, while adapting to changing needs and priorities.
• Provide classroom instruction and lead field trips as needed.
• Design and modify existing equipment to fill participant and instructor needs.
• Devise effective solutions in the event of equipment failure or unavailability (e.g., sampling nets and gear).
• Oversee collection and maintenance of biological specimens as needed using, nets, hand collecting, etc. Support necroscopy activities, including prep and final disposition, including management of a large frozen and chemically preserved collection.
• If trained, qualified, and approved as an AAUS scientific diver at the University of New Hampshire, the Lab Coordinator may work with other SML scientific divers in the collection of biological specimens as needed using SCUBA.
• Work with local fishermen and agencies to obtain specimens needed for SML's academic programs.
• Responsible for maintaining detailed records of all specimen collections conducted by SML academic courses and researchers, per requirements outlined in SML permits.
• Responsible for managing the inventory of SML's research and teaching laboratory spaces and will manage ordering of equipment.
• Assist with operation of the Appledore Store.
• Provide tours of and orientation to SML facilities.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for students, researchers, and visitors.
• Implement initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Expected to be available for consultation and emergency response at all times, on days scheduled to be working, and while on SML property and vessels.
• Serve as a crew member on board a commercial or an oceanographic vessel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.
• Selected candidates must be able to successfully participate in pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Meet the University of New Hampshire's hiring requirements for both criminal and driving history (background checks are required).
• Applicants must have interest in working in a remote educational environment.
• Working knowledge of the flora and fauna in the Gulf of Maine is required.
• Strong organizational skills for maintaining detailed records.
• Good communication skills and ability to work well with students, faculty and other staff members in an isolated environment.
• Strong knowledge of computer skills; proven organization skills; attention to detail along with experience managing multiple tasks.
• Red Cross Lifeguard Certification or ability to obtain.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Serve as a crew member on board a commercial or an oceanographic vessel
• Valid Driver's License
• Safe Driving Record

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to work as a team member with students, faculty and staff in an isolated and physically demanding environment involving long hours.
• Must be willing and able to assist with moving, packing, loading and unloading of supply runs both on Appledore and on the mainland.
• Must be able to lift and move more than 50 lbs.

Other Requirements:

• Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML ) is a residential, teaching facility located on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals, Maine. The island field station is open seasonally from May-September, and supports students, faculty, visitors and staff in a close-knit, sustainable community.
• Room and board are provided for island staff. All staff serve the island community as a team with each department working together to support SML's programs. It is everyone's responsibility to foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all.
• Living and working on a remote island is a unique experience which requires that everyone pitch in to help, even when it is not part of their job description, or during their scheduled hours. This includes, but is not limited to helping clean up after meals, helping transport goods from the vessels to other locations on the island, operating as crew aboard vessels, and generally being supportive and helpful with other members of our community.
• The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed. Application review will begin January 12.

Residential position that requires living on a remote island 5 nights a week. Position Dates May 4 - September 6, 2026.

Compensation Pay Range:

$925/week

The University of New Hampshire is committed to providing a safe environment for all persons, including but not limited to children, and to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and crimes against children. All UNH youth program staff shall be subject to a criminal background check as required by NH State Law. Staff and volunteers will also be required to complete periodic child safety training.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:

Period Activity