Fisheries Biological Scientist

POSITION DESCRIPTION :

The Fisheries Biological Scientist will support the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) by participating in all phases of cooperative fisheries research, from project design and fieldwork to data analysis and reporting. The role involves working closely with the commercial fishing industry to collect biological, ecological, and oceanographic data across various gear types and fisheries, including trawl, gillnet, longline, and lobster trap operations. The scientist will support survey implementation, engage with industry partners to refine sampling strategies, and contribute to the preparation of technical documentation, outreach materials, and scientific publications. Responsibilities also include conducting statistical and ecological analyses, generating data visualizations, fulfilling internal and external data requests, and supporting research permit development. The position may require at-sea and dockside work, equipment deployment and training, and participation in industry meetings, workshops, and symposia. The ideal candidate will have experience handling fisheries data, collaborating with stakeholders, and communicating scientific findings to diverse audiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Participate substantively in all phases of research investigation, including problem definition, planning, execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings, and to analyze and prepare data for use in stock and ecosystem assessments and fisheries management.
• Serve as a team member on cooperative research projects that bring the science and fishing communities together to address research questions and data needs.
• Coordinate with research and industry partners in defining and refining research approaches, and shall provide regular updates to project teams.
• Develop and maintain project documentation to ensure reproducibility of research, including metadata to support data processing.
• Assist in documentation and development of research-related permit applications.
• Communicate with collaborating fishing industry members about project goals, approaches, implementation, and results.
• Provide logistical and at-sea support for industry participants in cooperative research programs; including recruitment with community leaders, program introductions, port visits to identify set up requirements and constraints, equipment deployment and training, troubleshooting support and data collection, and participate in research cruises, as necessary.
• Participate in the observation, collection, sorting and processing of fish catch, biological samples, oceanographic dynamics, and other fisheries information for use in scientific research.
• Extract relevant data sets, create data summaries, graphs, tables, charts, or data visualizations for technical publications, outreach documents, and leadership briefings.
• Conduct statistical analysis and modeling exercises to understand fisheries, population, and ecosystem dynamics
• Fulfill internal and external data requests, as needed.
• Produce technical documentation of research goals, methods, results, and applications for dissemination to the public, scientific community, and fishing industry.
• Develop and maintain collaborations with other scientists to progress the utility, application, and impact of cooperative research data in stock assessments, ecosystem-based fisheries science, fisheries oceanography, and other disciplines and management
• Participate in industry meetings, scientific symposia, workshops and conferences in order to support and present NOAA projects
• Provide operational support for cooperative research field work.
• Assist in developing outreach materials, including user manuals, troubleshooting guides, newsletters and articles on Cooperative Research accomplishments, challenges and objectives.
• May be required to participate in dockside work.
• May be required to provide logistical and at-sea support for cooperative research field research programs.

REQUIREMENTS :

• Bachelors degree in a field directly related to the task requirements.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the field or in a related area or of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.
• Served as a researcher or member of a research team performing research on fisheries or related marine science.
• Ability to work collaboratively with members of the commercial fishing industry, including working at sea and at the dock.
• Experience with identifying and applying technical solutions within fisheries research settings.
• Experience manipulating complex (i.e. fisheries) data sets.
• Experience writing scientific documentation.
• Experience in identification, collection, sorting and processing of fish samples, biological samples, and oceanographic data.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools, such a R.
• Proficient in current MS Office software programs.
• Proficient in the primary G Suite tools include Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Sites, and Meet.
• Hold a valid state drives license with the ability to operate a Federal motor vehicle.