This full-time position focuses on improving aquaculture practices to help feed communities and support the future of fisheries in Minnesota and the Great Lakes region. Responsibilities include managing daily operations at the MNSG Aquaculture Lab and supporting outreach and research with fish farmers, state, federal, and tribal tribal partners, and other communities engaged in fisheries and aquaculture across the region. 

Quick Summary

The Aquaculture Extension Associate (AEA) at Minnesota Sea Grant oversees multiple extension and research projects related to aquaculture, with an emphasis on food and bait-fish production. The AEA manages daily operations at the MNSG Aquaculture Lab, which includes flow-through, recirculating, and aquaponics systems. Responsibilities include conducting outreach, extension, and research activities in collaboration with aquaculture producers. The AEA works closely with Minnesota Sea Grant extension educators, communicators, and administrative staff, as well as University of Minnesota Extension staff and Sea Grant colleagues from across the national network. The position also involves coordination with state, federal, and tribal staff engaged in aquaculture, and may include work with recreational, charter, commercial, and tribal fishing communities. 

To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. 

1. To apply for this position:
   1. Go to MN Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension Associate.
   2. Select the “Apply for Job” button in the upper right corner of the page.
   3. New users will need to register. Existing users will need to enter their username and password.
   4. Include a cover letter explaining how your experience meets the job qualifications and a resume or curriculum vitae with your application.

At a Glance

1. Who’s hiring: The University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program
2. Job title: Aquaculture Extension Associate
3. Job code: 9791EN
4. Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
5. Position type: Full time (40 hours per week)
6. Salary range: $45,347 - $70,412
7. Application open date: June 2, 2025
8. Application close date: Review of applications will begin June 25, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled.

Job Responsibilities

1. Coordinate all aspects of the MNSG Aquaculture Lab on the UMN St. Paul campus (50%).
   1. Coordinate project teams, partners, and working groups to ensure that teams are communicating and objectives are being met.
   2. Manage university, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and other permits.
   3. Oversee undergraduates, interns, and other staff working in the lab.
   4. Construct, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot all operational systems, and lab experiments.
   5. Provide lab tours and host/assist with other aquaculture demonstrations.
2. Conduct individual research projects and outreach initiatives or collaborate with other researchers to implement projects that focus on aquaculture and fisheries (40%).
   1. Help write proposals and apply for funding that addresses aquaculture and fisheries goals in the 2024-2027 MNSG Strategic Plan and priority needs expressed by interested communities.
   2. Implement and complete research/extension projects and reporting.
   3. Initiate collaboration with researchers, aquaculture industry members, and fisheries agency personnel to assist with high-priority research projects.
   4. Work with the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network and other groups to address common aquaculture and fisheries issues within the Great Lakes basin and nationally.
   5. Conduct and/or assist with aquaculture and fisheries outreach events.
3. Participate in general administrative MNSG activities (10%).
   1. Attend staff and other required meetings.
   2. Maintain a current calendar of events, travel, and program activity viewable to all staff.
   3. Report work activity on a regular basis using program forms, databases, or other formats as requested.
   4. Help write, edit, design, review, and/or produce documents critical to Sea Grant such as strategic plans, grant proposals, and progress reports.
   5. Participate in professional development opportunities and mandatory training as required by MNSG and the University of Minnesota.
   6. Serve on MNSG, Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, UMN, National Sea Grant, and other committees as requested.

Who We Are

Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. MNSG’s extension educators, researchers and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business and industry to protect, enhance and restore habitats, ecosystems and the services those ecosystems provide. We are what makes the University of Minnesota a Sea Grant institution.

Contact

Amy Schrank, Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program Lead and Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator. [email protected]. 

Additional Information

Minnesota Sea Grant is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant Program, which supports 34 similar programs in coastal states throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. It receives funding through the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the University of Minnesota. The program partners with local, regional and national organizations and is an integral member of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network.

Minnesota Sea Grant's Don Schreiner measures and records Golden Shiners, a popular Minnesotan bait fish, as part of ongoing research to increase Golden Shiner bait production in Minnesota. Image credit: Cait Dettmann/MNSG.