Benthic Biologist

@Orchard LLC; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Federal holidays

Job summary

@Orchard LLC seeks a Benthic Biologist to support NOAA Ocean Exploration initiatives. You will apply benthic ecology, taxonomy, habitat characterization, and data analysis to advance understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.

Work with multidisciplinary teams on planning, execution, and interpretation of scientific activities that enhance NOAA mission outcomes. The role involves collaboration with scientists, engineers, and program managers, with documentation and reporting responsibilities, and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Marine Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Zoology, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Experience supporting marine ecological research or environmental science programs.
• Knowledge of benthic ecology, marine taxonomy, habitat characterization, or deep-sea biology.
• Experience supporting NOAA, academic institutions, or marine research organizations.
• Experience interpreting biological datasets and preparing scientific documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required to support meetings and planning activities.
• Experience interpreting ROV imagery or underwater video is preferred.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications or scientific reports is preferred.
• Experience identifying deep-sea invertebrates, corals, sponges, or other benthic fauna is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support scientific investigations focused on benthic habitats, deep-sea ecosystems, and marine biodiversity.
• Analyze and interpret biological observations collected during ocean exploration missions.
• Identify and characterize benthic organisms and habitat features using imagery, samples, and datasets.
• Contribute to habitat characterization and ecological assessments for NOAA exploration objectives.
• Plan and execute ocean exploration missions involving benthic observations and sampling.
• Document biological specimens, catalog data, and manage scientific information.
• Collaborate with expedition teams to ensure accurate observation documentation.
• Work with marine biologists, geoscientists, GIS specialists, and engineers on research projects.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and collaborative research activities.
• Maintain datasets, metadata, and documentation per NOAA quality standards.
• Support QA/QC of scientific data and contribute to standardized workflows.

Skills

Benthic Ecology

Deep-Sea Biology

Marine Taxonomy

Habitat Characterization

Biological Data Analysis

Ecological Assessment

Metadata Management

Scientific Writing

Technical Presentations

Education

Advanced degree in Marine Biology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Google Workspace

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

@Orchard is a growing Woman-Owned Small Business and federal prime contractor delivering mission-critical science, data, technology, program management, and workforce solutions. Since 2010, we have built high-performing teams and disciplined delivery systems that help federal agencies launch complex programs, sustain performance, and achieve meaningful mission outcomes.

Position Summary:

@Orchard LLC is seeking a Benthic Biologist to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean Exploration.

Benthic Biologist provides scientific expertise supporting NOAA Ocean Exploration initiatives focused on deep-sea ecosystems, benthic habitats, and marine biodiversity. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, expedition personnel, and federal program managers, this position contributes to the planning, execution, analysis, and interpretation of scientific activities that improve understanding of seafloor environments and the biological communities they support.

The successful candidate will apply expertise in benthic ecology, taxonomy, habitat characterization, and biological data analysis to support ocean exploration missions, scientific reporting, and interdisciplinary research that advances NOAA's understanding of deep-ocean ecosystems.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Mission Impact:

This position directly supports NOAA's mission to explore and characterize deep-ocean environments by advancing scientific understanding of benthic ecosystems and the biological communities that inhabit the seafloor.

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific Research & Analysis

• Support scientific investigations focused on benthic habitats, deep-sea ecosystems, and marine biodiversity.
• Analyze and interpret biological observations collected during ocean exploration missions.
• Identify and characterize benthic organisms and habitat features using imagery, biological samples, and scientific datasets.
• Contribute to habitat characterization and ecological assessments supporting NOAA exploration objectives.

Expedition Support

• Support planning and execution of ocean exploration missions involving benthic observations and biological sampling.
• Assist with biological specimen documentation, cataloging, and scientific data management.
• Collaborate with expedition teams to ensure accurate documentation of biological observations.

Scientific Collaboration

• Collaborate with marine biologists, geoscientists, GIS specialists, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support preparation of technical reports, scientific publications, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Participate in scientific meetings, workshops, and collaborative research activities.

Data Stewardship

• Maintain biological datasets, metadata, and documentation in accordance with NOAA quality standards.
• Support quality assurance and quality control of scientific data.
• Contribute to standardized scientific workflows and documentation.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Marine Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Zoology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting marine ecological research or environmental science programs.
• Knowledge of benthic ecology, marine taxonomy, habitat characterization, or deep-sea biology.
• Experience supporting NOAA, academic institutions, or marine research organizations.
• Experience interpreting biological datasets and preparing scientific documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Occasional domestic travel may be required to support scientific meetings, workshops, planning sessions, training activities, or other program requirements consistent with contract needs.
• Experience interpreting ROV imagery or underwater video is preferred.
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications or scientific reports is preferred.
• Experience identifying deep-sea invertebrates, corals, sponges, or other benthic fauna is preferred.
• Experience supporting ocean exploration or habitat characterization initiatives is preferred.

Technical Skills:

• Benthic Ecology
• Deep-Sea Biology
• Marine Taxonomy
• Habitat Characterization
• Biological Data Analysis
• Ecological Assessment
• Metadata Management
• Scientific Writing
• Technical Presentations

Compensation:

The anticipated salary range for this position depends on the candidate's qualifications, relevant scientific experience, education, and overall experience supporting similar federal programs.

What We Offer:

Competitive base salary with opportunities for advancement, career growth and professional development, work-life balance, comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), generous PTO, and paid federal holidays.

@Orchard is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.