Research Project Assistant Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Location : UH Manoa - SOEST, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-01789
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - SOEST - Sea Grant College Program
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0088279T
Description
Position: Assistant Extension Agent
Position Title: Aquaculture Extension Specialist
Position Number: 0088279T
Department: University of Hawai'i
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
Sea Grant College Program
Geographic Location: O'ahu, Hawai'i
Date Posted: August 13, 2026
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Monthly Type: 11 Month
Tenure Track: Non Tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (100% FTE)
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: Renewal contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance of duties.
The University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai'i Sea Grant) is one of thirty-four (34) Sea Grant programs nationwide that comprise a functional network within our nation's universities and colleges that promote enhanced understanding, conservation, and wise use of coastal resources in the state, region, and nation. In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hawai'i Sea Grant supports and conducts an innovative program of research, education, and extension services that provide links among academia, federal, state and local government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the local community. As part of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's (UHM) prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Hawai'i Sea Grant is a system-wide and statewide program in Hawai'i with a presence in the U.S. Pacific territories and freely associated states including American Samoa, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
This Aquaculture Extension Specialist position will be located at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa on O'ahu and have statewide and regional extension, education and outreach duties and responsibilities. The selectee will serve to support the development, expansion, and diversification of aquaculture in Hawai`i and the US territories and freely associated states in alignment with Hawai`i Sea Grant's strategic plan. The Aquaculture Extension Specialist will accomplish the goals and objectives of Hawai`i Sea Grant's Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture focus area through extension, education and outreach, technology transfer, and administrative tasks required to carry out the duties of the position.
The position will be responsible for establishing an extension program in aquaculture as they relate to sustainable food supplies, developing relationships with the aquaculture industry, identifying aquaculture stakeholder needs, informing aquaculture research activities, provide capacity state and region wide for the development of aquaponics capacity at residential and community scales, disseminating science-based information through traditional extension methods to inform aquaculture stakeholder decision-making, and explore opportunities for conducting formal and informal education activities related to aquaculture and fisheries.
Under the general supervision of the Hawai'i Sea Grant associate director for extension and director, this position will serve communities in Hawai'i and the U.S. and freely associated states through an innovative extension program on aquaculture that supports the Sea Grant sustainable fisheries and aquaculture focus area.
Primary functions of the position include, but are not limited to:

1. As part of the Hawai`i Sea Grant's Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resource Hub (Aquaculture Hub) across Hawai`i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), serve as a Project and Partner Coordinator for the Aquaculture Hub and work closely with existing research, education, and extension programs including, but not exclusive to the: Tuahine Aquaculture Research and Education Center (TAREC) at UHM on O'ahu; Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo on Hawai'i Island; Center for Sustainable Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture (CSIAA) at the American Samoa Community College in American Samoa; Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei (MERIP) in Pohnpei in the FSM; and University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Guam Sea Grant to develop an integrated/interdisciplinary extension program elated to the growth, development, health and marketing of aquaculture species of importance to community and commercial interests and applications to production challenges in Hawai'i and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands.
2. Disseminate technical information to aquaculture stakeholders statewide and in the Pacific region using appropriate extension methods.
3. Collaborate with the research community to assist in the development of competitive research projects that addresses aquaculture-related priority needs and issues.
4. Collaborate with extension faculty to communicate and extend research findings in support of indigenous and conventional aquaculture production and further development of the aquaculture industry.
5. Promote and obtain extramural funding to support research and extension programs in aquaculture and aquaponics.
6. Cooperate and collaborate with professionals and administrators in state-wide aquaculture programs.
7. Develop networking relationships with aquaculture professionals in Sea Grant and Land Grant programs across the U.S.
8. Develop extension publications such as technical reports, brochures, manuals, etc. and workshops that transfer technology and disseminate latest scientific information to aquaculture stakeholders.
9. Explore opportunities to teach undergraduate and graduate classes related to aquaculture and aquaponics.
10. Conduct informal educational activities related to aquaculture and aquaponics for K-12 schools.
11. Participate in regular Sea Grant faculty and staff meetings.
12. Develop an annual work plan and provide timely reporting of Sea Grant activities, impacts, and accomplishments.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master's degree from a college or university of recognized standing, with major work in animal or biological sciences with a focus on aquaculture or related field, whichever is appropriate.
• At least three (3) years of successful experience in Cooperative Extension work, Sea Grant Extension work or equivalency in closely related fields.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work harmoniously with other agents in an integrated Cooperative Extension system, and with related agencies.
• Professionalism in meeting and conferring with others.
• Considerable knowledge of hatchery systems, various types of production systems, and aquaculture management.

• Demonstrated experience working with aquaculture producers and other stakeholders, and experience in extension work or equivalent with finfish, shellfish, and/or seaweed aquaculture and commercial production, aquaponics, particularly biology, hatchery systems, pond or tank production systems, and farm management.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ph.D. from a college or university of recognized standing in animal science or any other biological sciences with a focus on aquaculture or aquatic species with commercial value or related field.
• Postdoctoral training in animal sciences or related discipline with a focus on aquaculture.
• Peer-reviewed publications in aquaculture-important species and thorough knowledge of current aquaculture research and extension literature.
• Successful record of grantsmanship.
• Demonstrated ability to teach college or university-level courses.

To Apply:
Submit the following online through NEOGOV: 1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; 2) current curriculum vitae; 3) names and contact information (phone and e-mail) of three (3) professional references; and 4) official transcripts (copies acceptable for application, but if selected, originals required at time of hire). All application materials must be submitted by the closing date. Failure to submit all application materials by the closing date shall deem an application incomplete and will not be considered.
Inquiries:
Darren Lerner; 808-956-7031;
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/