Quantitative Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Quantitative Analyst – COMPASS and Salmon Life Cycle Modeling to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, by developing and advancing the Comprehensive Passage (COMPASS) model for application in river systems. This proposed contract role will support statistical, computer, and quantitative ecological modeling used to evaluate effects of stressors and management actions across fish life cycles. 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 requires specialized quantitative analysis support to integrate empirical data with modeling so that litigation responses, permitting decisions, and stock forecasts are supported by the best available science. This role supports COMPASS and related life cycle modeling for the Columbia River basin and other systems, including work that addresses requests from the West Coast Regional Office in support of ESA litigation and permitting.

• Develop and advance the Comprehensive Passage (COMPASS) model for application in river systems.
• Evaluate effects of stressors and management actions across fish life cycles using statistical modeling, computer modeling, statistical analysis, quantitative ecological analysis, and other quantitative modeling techniques.
• Construct and implement models evaluating survival and migration through the hydropower system.
• Address requests by the West Coast Regional Office in support of ESA litigation and permitting.
• Collaborate with regional managers and researchers to structure, synthesize, and manage environmental and biological data relevant to modeling needs.
• Document and share reproducible research workflows and analytical products so others can easily interact with them and understand what was done.
• Write reports, contribute to journal manuscripts, and present results at regional and national meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Assist with field collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region, as needed.
• Support development of assigned statistical and biological modeling components and integrate them into COMPASS and life cycle models for the Columbia River basin and others, as needed.
• Share modeling scripts, scientific methods, and research results through open-science platforms, such as GitHub.
• Prepare written status reports and other ad hoc communications, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, Master’s preferred, from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order and a strong quantitative background with emphasis in statistics, mathematics, fisheries, ecology, or the natural sciences.
• Three or more years of experience related to the task order.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience writing reports and contributing to peer-reviewed articles.
• Strong quantitative skills, including extensive experience in modeling and data analysis.
• Extensive experience executing statistical analysis and modeling in R, with an emphasis on strong skills coding in R.
• Familiarity interpreting or interfacing with C or C++ code within a scientific modeling context.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high-quality work products efficiently.li>
• Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for two years, MS, or four years, PhD, of experience.
• Experience with Bayesian statistical methods and mark-recapture analysis.
• Computational experience using command-line environments, such as Linux/shell scripting, for processing data.
• Experience with open science concepts.
• Experience with Bayesian modeling programs Stan and JAGS.

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.

The role may include assistance with field collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region, as needed. Field support may involve operating outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions in or around water and riding in vehicles and/or boats. Travel is anticipated and authorized for this task order and must be approved by the Contractor in coordination with the COR before travel occurs. 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.

• 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.