Research Associate Jobs in Biloxi, MS (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation is seeking Bottom Longline Survey Scientists, Levels II–III to support NOAA Fisheries’ SEFSC. These proposed roles will support the SEFSC Bottom Longline Survey and related fisheries research through field survey leadership, biological sampling, trophic and life-history research, data management and analysis, scientific publication, and public outreach. *Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award.

The Bottom Longline Survey supports research on sharks and other predatory fishes in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Associated research includes trophic ecology, distribution and movement, age and growth, reproductive biology, population structure, taxonomy, and fishing gear selectivity.

• Serve as Field Party Chief, Watch Leader, or Watch Stander on the SEFSC Bottom Longline Survey and other SEFSC resource surveys as needed.
• Support other SEFSC field research activities in similar roles.
• Prepare and submit cruise instructions and cruise reports when serving as Field Party Chief.
• Plan, coordinate, and provide logistical support for surveys.
• Coordinate participant clearances and work with IT staff to support survey data collection and post-survey retrieval.
• Serve as liaison between ship and science crews.
• Assist with procurement, preparation, and loading of survey gear, bait, supplies, and equipment.
• Coordinate vessel activities, personnel, vessel position and movements, ports of call, and monitoring of weather and sea conditions with vessel personnel when assigned.
• Conduct biological and environmental sampling, data collection, logging, and sample processing under field conditions.
• Perform QA/QC and entry of survey data.
• Support and, when required, lead research activities.
• Coordinate trophic studies of elasmobranchs captured during the Bottom Longline Survey and other appropriate SEFSC surveys.
• Support laboratory maintenance, sample procurement and cataloging, stomach content analyses, and presentation of results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist and advise personnel conducting diet studies of teleost fishes.
• Support research involving shark biology and gear interactions, including distribution and movement patterns, age and growth, reproductive biology, population structure, taxonomy, and gear selectivity.
• Enter and edit research data and maintain databases used to archive and distribute research data in accordance with Public Access to Research Results requirements.
• Upload data to applicable SEFSC Oracle databases.
• Maintain tag, biological sampling, and genetic-sample survey information.
• Conduct data analyses and prepare summaries, reports, publications, and presentations.
• Conduct advanced analyses including non-parametric and multivariate statistics.
• Conduct spatial analyses including kriging, mapping, and heat maps.
• Support other SEFSC field and laboratory research programs.
• Support marine mammal and sea turtle stranding activities as needed, including accessing stranded animals by beach or small boat, identification, measurements, bagging and transportation, and data submission.
• Conduct and, when needed, organize public outreach and education activities.
• Prepare for and potentially present, facilitate, or participate in workshops, scientific meetings, symposia, and public forums.

Level II

• Master of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus three years of relevant experience.

Level III

• Master of Science degree in Biology or a related science plus a minimum of five years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, or a related field; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or a related science plus a minimum of ten years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, or a related field.

Essential qualifications for both levels include:

• Demonstrable field experience with multiple gear types, including longlines, trawls, and plankton collection devices.
• Experience with oceanographic equipment such as side-scan sonar and conductivity, temperature, and depth instruments (CTDs), as well as video technologies.
• Knowledge of fisheries biology and survey design concepts, principles, and methodologies sufficient to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
• Experience with stomach content analyses and basic statistics associated with trophic studies.
• Ability to accurately identify elasmobranchs, teleosts, and invertebrates indigenous to southeastern U.S. marine waters.
• Advanced competency with common word-processing, database utilization and management, statistical, and graphics programs, particularly Access and Oracle.
• Documented experience managing large datasets and statistically analyzing data.
• Ability to lead research projects to completion.
• Experience conducting public outreach events and public speaking.
• Ability to meet NOAA sea-duty health requirements, including required NOAA Health Services and tuberculosis screening documentation and a current tetanus vaccination.

• Considerable experience with longline gear.

The positions are based at the SEFSC Laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and include laboratory, office, NOAA ship, charter vessel, small-boat, and other field environments. Work may involve deployment and retrieval of survey equipment, handling biological specimens, at-sea survey participation, and support for marine mammal and sea turtle strandings.

Facility access is generally available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work outside normal operating hours, including nighttime and weekend work, may be required before, during, and immediately following at-sea surveys and other field activities. Overtime must be authorized in accordance with contract requirements.

Domestic and international travel may be required for or in support of at-sea surveys, project-related workshops, and working group meetings.

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.