Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist

About the role

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Field Operations and Data Modernization Specialist to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division.

Responsibilities

• Lead field collection of biological and environmental data in estuarine and marine environments.
• Support the transition from traditional analog recording to digital data collection platforms, such as electronic measuring boards and ruggedized tablets.
• Evaluate and implement new field technologies to improve at-sea efficiency.
• Develop rigorous eDNA protocols and oversee field-based collection, preservation, and chain-of-custody of environmental DNA water samples.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison to the ’Omics laboratory personnel to ensure field samples are appropriately prepared for bioinformatics processing.
• Design and implement automated data pipelines to streamline transfer of data from ship to shore.
• Develop scripts or workflows that rapidly generate preliminary data products, cruise summaries, and visualization tools immediately following field operations.
• Maintain project databases to improve organization, accessibility, and usability for interdisciplinary team members.
• Ensure historical and newly digitized datasets are standardized and accessible for analysis.
• Direct mobilization and demobilization of project equipment using modern inventory tracking systems.
• Synthesize methodological improvements and field results by authoring technical reports, contributing to journal manuscripts, and presenting workflow modernization strategies at regional and national scientific meetings.
• Develop and implement standardized, reproducible procedures to format, QA/QC, and transition raw at-sea biological observations into analysis-ready scientific formats.
• Produce near-real-time cruise summaries, data visualization tools, and standardized datasets that accelerate management decision making.
• Develop digital Standard Operating Procedures for digital data collection methods, eDNA field sampling protocols, and database structures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study directly related to the requirements of this contract, including fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for two years, MS, or four years, PhD, of experience.
• Three or more years of experience related to the outlined tasks.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the marine and anadromous species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries within the West Coast region.
• Quantitative capabilities, including proven experience in statistical and complex data analysis.
• Familiarity with open science concepts.
• Working proficiency in analytical tools and software, such as R, Python, or Geographic Information Systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of authoring technical reports and contributing to published, peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study directly related to the requirements of this contract, including fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for two years, MS, or four years, PhD, of experience.
• Three or more years of experience related to the outlined tasks.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the marine and anadromous species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries within the West Coast region.
• Quantitative capabilities, including proven experience in statistical and complex data analysis.
• Familiarity with open science concepts.
• Working proficiency in analytical tools and software, such as R, Python, or Geographic Information Systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of authoring technical reports and contributing to published, peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• 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.

Skills

• Experience with digital data collection platforms, such as electronic measuring boards and ruggedized tablets.
• Knowledge of marine and anadromous species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries within the West Coast region.
• Statistical and complex data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with open science concepts.
• Proficiency in analytical tools and software, such as R, Python, or Geographic Information Systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in authoring technical reports and contributing to published, peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• Ability to 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.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
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

Pay

Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

The schedule is flexible and may vary based on project requirements.

Contact

For more information about this position, please contact Lynker Corporation at [contact information].

Equal Opportunity 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.