Fish Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker is seeking a PhD-level Quantitative Fisheries Scientist – Life Cycle Modeling and Management Analysis to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, by quantitatively analyzing compiled datasets to inform management decisions. This proposed contract role will support fish life cycle and stock assessment models, simulations, spatial analysis, and open-source workflows used to evaluate stressors and management actions across fish life cycles in support of sustainable fisheries. 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.*

The NWFSC is a leader in quantitative analyses supporting fisheries management for marine and anadromous species. It produces increasingly large datasets as quantitative research techniques become more complex, and researchers examine relationships between managed stocks and their environments using technical statistical approaches that continue to evolve. This role supports advanced quantitative analyses that transform empirical data into defensible insights for management decisions, permitting decisions, and stock forecasts.

Duties of the Quantitative Fisheries Scientist will include the following:

• Analyze spatial and temporal variability in abundance and composition of fish, their prey, competitors, predators, and habitats.
• Analyze and generate relationships between fish responses, including density, biomass, growth, and survival, and stressors such as environmental or ecological conditions, habitat metrics, management actions, and related factors in particular life stages.
• Contribute programming and spatial analysis expertise to construction and implementation of fish life cycle, also known as stock assessment, models and simulations.
• Support models and simulations used to evaluate cumulative effects of stressors and management actions across fish life cycles in support of sustainable fisheries.
• Emphasize incorporation of ecological interactions, including predators and prey, and expansion of model component complexity in estuary and nearshore domains.
• Share comprehensive workflow protocols and research products so others can easily interact with them and understand what was done.
• Write reports, contribute to journal manuscripts, and present results at regional meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Document reproducible workflows.
• Share computer scripts and methods in an open-source framework such as GitHub.
• Store analysis products in an accessible and organized way.
• Share data and models in an open-source framework such as an online data dashboard and/or data repository.
• Provide written status reports and other ad hoc communications, as needed.

The Quantitative Fisheries Scientist should have the following:

• 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.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed articles.
• Familiarity with common workplace software such as Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Strong quantitative skills, including familiarity with modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with software such as R, Python, GitHub, and GIS, and with open science concepts.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high-quality work products efficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.
• Valid driver’s license, maintained during the period of performance.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Three years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region.

Work Environment

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. 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 for this task order with a formal telework agreement between the contractor and employee. The contractor shall comply with Office of the Chief Information Officer IT security requirements.

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, if required, must be coordinated through the CO and approved in writing on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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.