Molecular Fisheries Scientist

About the role

Conducts professional level molecular laboratory and field based biological research including project development and study design, data collection, data analysis, report writing and review. Manages day-to-day laboratory operations, including ordering equipment and supplies, maintaining equipment, and ensuring safety within the lab.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day laboratory operations, including ordering equipment and supplies, maintaining equipment, and ensuring safety within the lab.
• Provides technical support to internal and regional commercial salmon harvest planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation based on knowledge and application of statistical methodologies.
• Participates in a wide range of laboratory and field research projects working both independently and as part of a team on all project aspects from design and development to data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Coordinates and provides lab supervision for technicians assigned to conduct lab work and collect data.
• Processes data and develops and implements data analyses using statistical software such as R and associated packages or other programs.
• Proposes, develops, and implements independent research projects within or outside primary research projects.
• Writes and reviews technical reports, project summaries, post-season reports, annual management reports, etc. Provides technical assistance in the development of annual project budgets, recommends budget modifications, and determines project needs.
• Participates in internal and regional management fora and provides technical assistance in resolving complex fisheries management issues that are subject to controversy.
• Coordinates, instructs, develops, evaluates, and conducts biological fisheries monitoring, sampling, and surveys.
• Captures, reviews, and analyzes commercial and sport fisheries harvest data and statistical reports.
• Provides technical assistance in the formulation of plans and/or regulations for salmon harvest, and implements those management plans.
• Performs in-season analysis of harvest data for all salmon stocks.

Requirements

• Required Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, or directly related field from an accredited college or university with a minimum of, or supplemented by 4 semester hours (6 quarter hours) of upper level (500 or higher) science courses in subjects such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, conservation, resource management, habitat restoration, limnology, biology, etc., and 6 semester (9 quarter) hours of research design, statistics, sampling theory, multivariate or longitudinal data analysis, ecological modeling, etc. (course numbers 400 or higher).
• OR Master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or directly related field from an accredited college or university with a minimum of, or supplemented by 4 semester hours (6 quarter hours) of upper level (500 or higher) science courses in subjects such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, conservation, resource management, habitat restoration, limnology, biology etc., and 6 semester (9 quarter) hours of research design, statistics, sampling theory, multivariate or longitudinal data analysis, ecological modeling, etc. (course numbers 400 or higher)
• Three (3) years of experience developing and implementing molecular, biochemical, or ecological research projects. A master’s thesis including both field-based or lab-based and quantitative components may stand in for two (2) years of experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory research and being familiar with molecular techniques such as, DNA extraction, PCR, or qPCR etc., and being comfortable completing these tasks independently.
• The ability to interact and communicate effectively with scientists across multiple agencies in both verbal and written capacities, and having experience leading diverse field crews to achieve project objectives.
• A proficient user of statistical software, such as R, and being willing and able to continue expanding their quantitative skillset.

Skills

• Strong organization skills and ability to self-manage projects and coordinate several activities at once.
• Ability to manage diverse support staff and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Ability to develop and conduct biological studies, to define data needs, collect appropriate data, and compile that data for use by other fisheries professionals.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively both verbally and in writing to interpret, explain, and compose technical information into clear, concise documents or presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in adverse weather conditions, overnight, and on a variable schedule.

Knowledge

• Understanding of Tribal Treaty Rights, particularly pertaining to salmon harvest.
• General knowledge of pacific salmon ecology and life history, and principles and challenges of salmon management in urbanized systems.
• Knowledge of molecular biological techniques, especially as applicable to ecological and fisheries research, and ability to use standard computer software, such as R, to analyze data.