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Postdoctoral Research Associate, Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC), University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC), University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Community-Driven Zebrafish Sperm Cryopreservation (NIH R24)

The Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) at the University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) is seeking a postdoc-level Research Associate to lead a 4-year NIH R24 project that will make zebrafish sperm cryopreservation more reproducible, scalable, and accessible for individual laboratories. The project is in collaboration with the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetics Resource Center (AGGRC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University).

 

Project scope:

Zebrafish line generation is accelerating, and centralized capacity alone is insufficient to safeguard all novel fish lines in laboratories. Our goal is to build a practical, community-ready cryopreservation system - combining standardized methods, quality management, and user-friendly “technology packages” (including open-source hardware and consumables) - so labs can reliably, and independently back up their own lines at low cost and contribute to community resilience.

 

Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate project activities across aims between ZIRC and AGGRC and the broader zebrafish community.

  • Train in cryopreservation on site at ZIRC and AGGRC, and translate protocols into repeatable, user-ready workflows.

  • Run alpha testing and organize community beta testing, including communication, feedback surveys, documentation, and data flow with external labs.

  • Iterate and improve technology packages and QC elements based on tester outcomes and feedback.

  • Co-develop web-based resources and user materials (instructions, workflows, ordering/distribution guidance) with IT staff.

  • Engage the community through standards development, surveys, and training resources.

  • Travel to collaborator/beta-tester laboratories as needed for hands-on implementation support and troubleshooting.

  • (Optional/encouraged) Participate in ZIRC health and husbandry research as it relates to cryopreservation and reproducibility.

 

Required qualifications

  • PhD and/or DVM (or equivalent).

  • Strong project leadership skills: organization, clear communication, and careful documentation in a team environment.

 

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience with gamete cryopreservation, zebrafish/aquatics, and/or QA/QC in a lab setting.

  • Interest in interdisciplinary work (biology + engineering/process design/UX); 3D printing/open hardware experience is a plus.

 

Appointment details

This position is funding-contingent, with the possibility of evolving into a longer-term staff role at ZIRC.

 

How to apply

Please submit: (1) CV, (2) brief cover letter, and (3) contact information for 2–3 references to zoltan@zebrafish.org.