Position Summary

KAUST in partnership with NEOM is executing the world's largest coral reef conservation, enhancement and restoration project. The project will involve work across a 100-hectare reefscape near Shushah Island in the north-eastern Red Sea as well the construction and operation of the world's largest coral nursery that will produce nearly a half million corals per year for coral reef restoration and enhancement.

KAUST seeks to develop an operation which will utilize existing and new state-of-the-art coral restoration techniques combined with industrial-scale aquaculture practices to maximize efficiencies and reduce labour demands through automation. The Coral Husbandry Associate Technician - plays a crucial role in the world's largest coral reef conservation, enhancement, and restoration project undertaken by KAUST in partnership with NEOM. This position will focus on implementing advanced coral restoration techniques, to produce a significant

number of corals for reef restoration and enhancement purposes. The individual will be responsible for supporting the operational aspects of the coral nursery, ensuring efficient production and growth of corals, facilitate R&D projects and contributing to the conservation efforts in the north-eastern Red Sea, specifically near Shushah Island.

Scope of Work

- Gain knowledge in coral sexual & asexual reproduction techniques and co-culture practices to maximize the production of corals for restoration and enhancement under the guidance of the Coral Husbandry Specialists.

- Support coral husbandry to the highest standards, including cleanliness of tanks,coral substrates, feeding and equipment.

- Learn, recognise and diagnoses coral diseases and implement appropriate response.

- Coral feeding in alignment with Standard Operating procedures.

- Support Donar colony and broodstock onboarding and carry out coral fragmenting tasks under supervision of Coral Husbandry Technicians.

- Maintain accurate records and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in an organized manner for reference and compliance.

- Work closely with the Coral Husbandry Specialists to ensure the seamless execution and completion of the Primary Nursery Operations.

- Support coral co-culture husbandry procedures.

- Comply with all applicable Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) procedures, promptly reporting incidents and near misses, and actively participating in HSE initiatives.

- Perform diving activities if Qualified when requested. This could be as for coral broodstock collections or general maintenance.

- Basic Life Support systems operations

Competencies

- Familiar in using document management and storage systems such as SharePoint.

- Familiarity with cloud-based team collaboration software, Microsoft Teams, and MS Office applications.

- A keenness to learn basic Coral husbandry practices is critical.

- Previous experience and knowledge in coral asexual reproduction and co-culture is beneficial.

- Meticulous, detail-oriented, and able to complete tasks promptly.

- Good communication skills with a good command of the English language.

- Adaptability to embrace and respond to change effectively.

- Initiative to take on assignments with minimal supervision from the Team leader.

- Analytical and problem-solving skills, promoting a team-oriented environment.

- High adaptation skills and willing to relocate to a remote area.

- Willingness to become a diver is beneficial.

Qualifications

- Associate degree in Marine Biology or equivalent stream.

- Bachelor in Science is advantageous.

Experience

Previous experience working in remote or challenging locations, particularly in project-based environments.