Posting number: 2026-01483
Department: University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Division: College of Natural and Health Sciences - Biology
Job classification: GRADUATE ASSISTANT, 11-MO
Posting type: Open
Categories: Sciences
Title: Graduate Assistant (Sea Grant Fellow)
Position Number: GA11
Hiring Unit: College of Health & Natural Sciences, Biology
Location: UH-Hilo
Date Posted: July 14, 2026
Closing Date: September 1, 2026; first review date on or about July 29, 2026
Salary Information: GA11-15 $2,429/mo $ 29,148/annual
Monthly Type: 11 Month
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time - Part Time Equivalency - 50%
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary - Not to Exceed: July 31, 2028
Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately August 2026, pending availability of funding. One graduate assistantship is available for a student to work as a Hawai‘i Sea Grant Fellow. The fellowship includes support for two years (2nd year pending satisfactory academic
performance), including a Graduate Assistantship (salary plus fringe benefits) and a full tuition remission.
The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawai'i, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawai'i System, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development for the State of Hawai'i.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) provides academic leadership and administrative oversight for the university's instructional, research, and academic support units. Within the VCAA portfolio, the UH Hilo Research Office supports faculty, staff, and students in the development, administration, and stewardship of externally funded research and scholarly activity, ensuring compliance with University of Hawaii, RCUH, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.
The College of Natural and Health Sciences (CNHS) is one of the two largest colleges at UH Hilo, home to 9 departments, 14 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and over 60 full-time faculty. CNHS provides an innovative, career-focused scientific education based in the culture, rich diversity, and natural environment of Hawai`i. The college prepares students for success in local, state, regional, and global careers. It teaches basic scientific and mathematical principles and applications that inform future citizens, scientists, managers, and leaders using modern methods and Hawai`i Island's living laboratory.
The Hawai'i Sea Grant Graduate Fellowship Program provides skills training to graduate students preparing to become scientists and coastal and ocean resource managers through opportunities to engage in outreach, science communication, and informal education.
The goal of this program is to develop well-rounded scientists versed not only in research, but also outreach and science communication. Full-time graduate students working toward advanced degrees related to the marine or coastal sciences receive a paid graduate research assistantship position. Graduate fellows are expected to make good progress toward their degrees, remain in good academic standing, and participate in research that provides them with thesis material. Additionally, graduate fellows conduct education and outreach activities to disseminate their work to a variety of stakeholders, including the general public, scientists, resource agencies, and other local decision-makers.
This fellow selected for this position will be working on a project on Hawai`i Island examining contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) at locations of known wastewater pollution. The fellow will gain a variety of training by working on this project. They will: 1) help design field sampling plans, 2) oversee collection and processing of samples, 3) coordinate and oversee undergraduate students assisting in the field and laboratory, 3) extract samples for CEC analysis, 5) assist with data management and analysis for the project, 6) assist with writing project reports and peer-reviewed journal articles, 7) present results at local and international meetings, and 8) develop professional relationships with community groups and local, state, and federal agencies. The student will also participate in the UH Sea Grant Research Symposium, science communication workshop, public outreach talks, HI Sea Grant blog posts, and outreach as part of their fellowship with Sea Grant.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Work with thesis advisor, where duties may include, but not limited to collecting data, processing samples, analyzing and interpreting data, writing project reports and/or thesis/manuscript, presenting results at meetings (i.e., community, local, state, or international conferences), mentoring undergraduate student assistants, developing final products for the project, and other assigned tasks relevant to the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Supplemental Minimum Qualifications
To Apply:
Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. A complete application must include:
A complete application must include:
1. Cover letter explaining how you satisfy the minimum qualification. Within the letter, you must clearly express your commitment to and leadership in supporting Hawai`i’s environment relative to this project.
2. Curriculum Vitae or resume.
3. Names, telephone numbers and email addresses of three [3] professional references.
4. Transcript(s) (official transcripts will be required prior to hiring; unofficial transcripts are acceptable for your initial application.
Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.
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Inquiries: Dr. Tracy Wiegner, Professor of Marine Science, wiegner@hawaii.edu
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/
Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled
