Quantitative Fishery Ecologist Needed
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Integrated Statistics is looking for a Quantitative Fishery Ecologist to work in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).
The Quantitative Fishery Ecologist will work on an industry-science collaboration investigating the processes controlling the dynamics of the shortfin squid population and fishery and possible consequences for applied fisheries science and management. The Quantitative Fishery Ecologist will assist with the development of a habitat model for adult shortfin squid, investigate nursery habitat dynamics of shortfin squid, and apply empirical dynamic modeling approaches to understand shortfin squid CPUE fluctuations in relationship to oceanographic conditions. The Quantitative Fishery Ecologist will spend significant amounts of time working with principal investigators located in Narragansett, Rhode Island and Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
Duties
The Quantitative Fishery Ecologist will:
- Apply embedded fishery research and collaborative nowcasting to develop a habitat model for adult shortfin squid. This will include development of a baseline habitat model using NEFSC bottom trawl survey catches of squid and output from the real time data assimilative Regional Ocean Modeling prediction system.
- Work directly with the commercial fishing community to test and refine the habitat model for adult shortfin squid. These activities will require travel to going to sea with shortfin squid fishermen, requiring some overnight trips.
- Develop indices of shortfin squid nursery habitat dynamics. This includes using ocean models and observations from satellite altimetry, ocean color and derived products to develop classified maps describing the combined processes of enrichment, concentration, and retention of larval shortfin squid, as well as applying landscape pattern analysis.
- Use empirical dynamic modeling with convergent cross mapping to determine whether shortfin squid fishery catch is stochastic or deterministic and whether “fishery” or nursery habitat can explain CPUE fluctuations and increase forecast accuracy.
- Assist scientists in acquiring and analyzing fishery dependent and fishery independent data to explore hypotheses related to shortfin squid habitat dynamics.
- Assist scientists in conducting meetings with industry partners with the goal of refining the habitat models to reflect distribution and productivity of the shortfin squid fishery.
- Help draft assessment working papers and scientific manuscripts.
Qualifications
The successful candidate must:
- Have a strong background and formal training in ecological analysis and modeling.
- Have demonstrated experience in applied ecology, fisheries science, and modeling, with special reference to species distribution modeling and marine habitat analyses.
- Possess demonstrated competence in R programming and analyses, including interfacing with relational databases such as Oracle, and with OpenDAP servers.
- Have a strong interest and willingness to work respectfully and productively with fisherman and other fishing industry experts.
- Be familiar with the fisheries of the Northwest Atlantic.
- Have excellent communication skills and a track record of productive collaboration/teamwork.
- Be willing to travel to meet with fishermen in various ports in Southern New England and the mid-Atlantic.
- Possess a Master’s or PhD in fisheries science, ecology, marine ecosystem
science, or a closely related subject, with a background in
field research. Candidates with equivalent work experience in ecological
analysis and a deep interest in collaborative research into the
socio-ecology of fisheries systems may be considered.
The position is expected to last six months, and the rate of pay is $26.23. The position is eligible for the benefits described on the Integrated Statistics website.
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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