Field Scientist

Society for Conservation Biology; Falmouth (KY); Remote; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization is seeking a Field Scientist to support fisheries research. This position involves working at sea aboard commercial vessels to collect and analyze data related to fishery ecosystems. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in fisheries or biological sciences and have at least 3 years of relevant experience. The role requires strong technical skills, communication abilities, and the physical capacity to work on vessels for extended periods.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in fisheries research or related field.
• Ability to collect and process biological samples at sea.
• Strong technical skills with hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct biological sampling and data processing at sea.
• Act as Chief Scientist on survey cruises.
• Maintain and repair sampling gear and equipment.

Skills

Fieldwork

Data analysis

Communication

Technical troubleshooting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in fisheries or biological sciences

Tools

Oracle databases

Electronic data collection systems

Job description

Overview

Field Scientist - Cooperative Research (NOAA NEFSC)

Remote/Offshore within Massachusetts or Rhode Island — accessible to Falmouth/Woods Hole, MA, and Narragansett, RI (with assignments on NOAA and partner vessels throughout the Northeast U.S.). @Orchard LLC has been awarded the PEMAD sea-going support contract through NOAA Fisheries. We are actively hiring a Field Scientist to support the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center's Cooperative Research Branch (CRB). The Field Scientist will work at sea aboard commercial fishing vessels and onshore at research facilities to collect, process, and analyze fisheries and ecosystem data. This role combines technical fieldwork, gear/equipment management, data QA/QC, and collaboration with fishermen, scientists, and managers to support stock assessments and ecosystem-based fishery management.

Responsibilities

• Participate in cooperative research at sea (trawl, longline, gillnet, and other fisheries), including staging, gear deployment, catch sampling, biological data collection, and data entry.
• Act as Chief Scientist aboard Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey cruises when assigned, coordinating scientific and vessel operations.
• Conduct biological sampling (age, growth, maturity, genetics, diet), tagging, and data processing for fish and invertebrates.
• Operate and troubleshoot electronic data collection systems, video monitoring systems, and fisheries sampling hardware.
• Maintain and repair gear and equipment (e.g., longline gear, nets, stereo/video equipment, oceanographic instruments).
• Organize and support outreach with fishing community participants (port visits, recruitment, training, ongoing communications).
• Conduct QA/QC and management of fisheries research data (Oracle databases, spreadsheets, error-checking, auditing).
• Contribute to technical reports, proposals, outreach materials, and scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and conferences to present cooperative research results.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fisheries, biological sciences, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in fisheries research, cooperative research, or related field/lab work.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and process biological/fisheries samples at sea and dockside.
• Experience working directly with commercial fishing industry partners.
• Strong technical skills with electronic data collection systems, databases, and troubleshooting hardware/software.
• Ability to work independently at sea with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Physical ability to work aboard vessels for extended trips (up to 10 days), lift/carry 50lbs, and work 12-hour shifts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as Chief Scientist or leading field research teams.
• Familiarity with Oracle databases, video annotation, or advanced sampling equipment.
• Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, reports, or outreach materials.
• Certifications: NOAA Small Boat Operator (desired), NSC Defensive Driving, First Aid/CPR/AED, Safety at Sea.

Additional Requirements

• Must meet NOAA OMAO Sea duty health criteria.
• Must provide proof of a recent negative TB (PPD) test and complete NOAA medical clearance forms.
• Valid driver's license required; ability to drive government vehicles.

To learn more about this opportunity to serve the NOAA Fisheries mission of advancing Fisheries science, please apply.

Established in 2010, @Orchard has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atorchard.com.