Biological Technician - Salmon Needed

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Integrated Statistics is looking for a Biological Technician to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Atlantic Salmon Ecosystems Research Team. The Biological Technician will assist with the analysis of the effects of climate-driven ecosystem change on Atlantic salmon growth and survival at sea, with focus on West Greenland salmon. The Biological Technician will extract growth data from archived scale samples from Atlantic salmon harvested in Greenland from 1969 through to the present.

In the Northwest Atlantic, large-scale climate forcing caused a phase shift in productivity during the 1990s by altering trophic mechanisms that influence growth, survival, productivity and abundance of many species, including Atlantic salmon. The abundance of Atlantic salmon has declined precipitously across its range since that time, despite diverse population structures and management regimes, suggesting that conditions experienced in common marine areas in the Northwest Atlantic may be responsible for current abundance trends. Scales provide a valuable record of growth in Atlantic salmon since they document patterns of growth over the lifetime of a fish.  This position will work towards constructing a time series of growth data based on scales from Atlantic salmon harvested and sampled off the coast of West Greenland.  The resulting growth data will be analyzed and combined with estimates of marine survival and time series of climatic and oceanographic data to investigate potential hypotheses on the drivers of marine growth and productivity of the species. 

Tasks

The Biological Technician will take responsibility for these tasks:

• Work with project collaborators to facilitate transfer of selected scales to and from NOAA Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA, USA and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
• Prepare, image, and measure all scales samples.
• Work with ASERT staff to facilitate the auditing, finalization, and archiving of all scale measurement data within the ASERT’s SalmoScale Master Database.
• Participate in scale measuring training sessions or exchange programs with other project collaborators as required.
• Assist project collaborators in developing a working paper that outlines projects results and assesses the potential for incorporating environmental variables into stock assessment models and forecast projections.
• Assist project collaborators in developing presentations for domestic and international scientific conferences.
• Assist project collaborators in developing a peer reviewed manuscript outlining the results of the project.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Biology, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team.
• Prior laboratory experience, preferably in fishery-related projects.
• Experience in QA/QC processes.
  
• Experience and understanding of stratified sampling methods is preferred.
• Demonstrated skill in Excel database management is preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the US and possibly Canada.

Integrated Statistics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, Integrated Statistics is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans. For assistance with accessibility of applications, posters, forms, and/or documents, please email the Integrated Statistics office.

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