Data Scientist Contract Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation is seeking a PhD-level Quantitative Fisheries Scientist – Predation Modeling and Data Synthesis to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, by compiling, organizing, and analyzing spatial and temporal datasets related to predation on salmon. This proposed contract role will help transform data into actionable products that inform management decisions affecting Pacific salmon, including trophic interactions, predation pressure, predator-induced mortality, and survival rates. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.*

On the U.S. West Coast, predation on salmon by birds, marine mammals, and invasive fish has emerged as a critical focus of ecological research and management. As freshwater, estuarine, and ocean environments change, timely management advice relies on quantitative analysis, ecological expertise, and reproducible data synthesis. This role supports NWFSC research products used to understand predator-prey distributions, predation rates, environmental conditions, and managed fish populations.

• Compile, organize, and analyze large-scale spatial and temporal datasets.
• Evaluate effects of localized environmental conditions on predator-prey distributions and predation rates on managed fish populations.
• Synthesize analytical findings by authoring technical reports and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts.
• Present complex research results at regional management meetings and scientific conferences.
• Conduct literature reviews to summarize and document relationships among predator consumption rates, predator abundance and distribution, observed ecological outcomes, potential environmental stressors, and shifting environmental conditions.
• Support physical collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater and marine environments of the West Coast region.
• Safely operate outdoors in potentially harsh conditions, with field work that may involve driving federal vehicles, boats, and trailers.
• Standardize and share compiled data, comprehensive workflow protocols, and research products to ensure transparent, reproducible, and interactive methodologies for internal partners and external stakeholders.
• Prepare completed technical reports, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, and/or book chapters ready for submission or publication.
• Deliver research presentations and analytical briefings to NWFSC colleagues, regional managers, and broader scientific audiences.
• Develop cleaned, compiled datasets, including predator diet composition, bioenergetics data, or abundance indices, sourced from existing databases or extracted through literature reviews.
• Maintain shared repositories, such as GitHub, containing datasets and analytical scripts.
• Develop fully documented, reproducible analytical workflows in written reports, manuscripts, and version-controlled code repositories.

• Doctorate from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order, including geomorphology, oceanography, hydrology, fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, and/or statistics.
• Five or more years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed articles.
• Familiarity with common software used in the workplace.
• Strong quantitative skills, including familiarity with modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with software such as R, GitHub, and GIS.
• Familiarity with open science concepts.
• Ability to efficiently manage dynamic workloads, maintain high organizational standards, and produce high-quality deliverables within established timelines.
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively within interdisciplinary scientific teams.

Work will be conducted on-site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA, or at one of its associated field stations in WA or OR, or at a mutually agreed upon location. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead. Part-time telework is authorized with a formal telework agreement between the Contractor and employee, subject to Office of the Chief Information Officer IT security requirements.

This role may include physical collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater and marine environments of the West Coast region. Field work may require safely operating outdoors in potentially harsh conditions and may involve driving federal vehicles, boats, and trailers. Travel is anticipated and authorized for this task order and must be approved by the Contractor in coordination with the COR before travel occurs. Contractor personnel may periodically be required to drive Government Vehicles after completing Government Defensive Driving training. Overtime is not anticipated and must be coordinated and authorized before being worked.

This project is considered low risk, and Contractor staff must be suited for public trust classification. Background investigations are required for all Contractor staff proposed for this project and must be cleared prior to beginning performance. Effective January 1, 2026, vendors and visitors must present REAL ID-compliant identification, or an acceptable alternative government-issued photo identification, to enter applicable DOC/NOAA facilities.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

*This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.