Fisheries Biologist – Field & Laboratory Support

FISH Inc.; Juneau (AK); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

Retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts

EAP

Disability insurance

Life and accident insurance

Tuition assistance & training

Performance-based bonuses

Employee referral program

Job summary

Fisheries Immersed Science Hawaii (FISH) in Juneau, AK is seeking a Fisheries Biologist – Field & Laboratory Support to provide laboratory-based sample processing and limited field support for NOAA NMFS AFSC RECA program. Work on-site at Auke Bay Laboratories to support research on environmental variability affecting survival of salmon and groundfish.

Responsibilities include processing larval/juvenile fish, otoliths, and tissues, performing isotopic and lipid analyses preparation, QA/QC data,

Qualifications

• Experience processing larval or juvenile marine fish (identification, measurement, dissection).
• Experience removing otoliths, stomach contents, and tissue samples.
• Experience preparing biological samples for chemical analyses (e.g., isotopes, lipids, thiamine).
• Ability to homogenize tissue samples for analysis.
• Experience organizing and quality-checking scientific data.
• Familiarity with relational databases and QA/QC procedures.

Responsibilities

• Inventory fish and zooplankton samples arriving at the laboratory.
• Measure length and weight of fish.
• Verify species identification, including larval and juvenile fish.
• Remove otoliths and tissue samples (genetics, RNA/DNA, isotopes).
• Remove stomachs and tissues for diet and energetic analyses.
• Homogenize fish tissues for laboratory analysis.
• Analyze samples using a PARR semi-microbomb calorimeter for energy density.
• Decode coded-wire tags.
• Prepare samples for isotope and thiamine analysis.
• Analyze stomach contents and lipid content of juvenile fishes.
• Participate in single-day vessel surveys, as needed.
• Assist with oceanographic and fish collection activities under direction of AFSC staff.
• Record, organize, and enter laboratory data.
• Perform quality control checks on raw and electronic datasets.
• Produce monthly progress reports summarizing accomplishments and issues.

Skills

Larval/juvenile fish processing

Otoliths/tissues handling

Biological sample prep

Tissue homogenization

Data QA/QC

Relational databases

Tools

PARR calorimeter

Job description

Fisheries Immersed Science Hawaii (FISH) · FLOAT Joint Venture with Lynker Corporation

Fisheries Biologist – Field & Laboratory Support

Full Time
Juneau, AK — Auke Bay Laboratories
1 Opening
Contingent on Contract Award

FISH, in strategic partnership with Lynker Corporation as FLOAT, is seeking a Fisheries Biologist to support NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Auke Bay Laboratories RECA Program. This position provides laboratory-based biological sample processing and limited field support for fisheries oceanographic research evaluating how environmental variability affects survival and recruitment of commercially important species, including salmon and groundfish.

Responsibilities

Laboratory Support

• Inventory fish and zooplankton samples arriving at the laboratory
• Measure length and weight of fish
• Verify species identification, including larval and juvenile fish
• Remove otoliths and tissue samples (genetics, RNA/DNA, isotopes)
• Remove stomachs and tissues for diet and energetic analyses
• Homogenize fish tissues for laboratory analysis
• Analyze samples using a PARR semi-microbomb calorimeter for energy density
• Decode coded-wire tags
• Prepare samples for isotope and thiamine analysis
• Analyze stomach contents and lipid content of juvenile fishes

Field Support

• Participate in single-day vessel surveys, as needed
• Assist with oceanographic and fish collection activities under direction of AFSC staff

General Support

• Record, organize, and enter laboratory data
• Perform quality control checks on raw and electronic datasets
• Produce monthly progress reports summarizing accomplishments and issues

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 12 credits of college-level coursework in fisheries, biology, oceanography, or related natural science field
• At least one (1) year of experience in both biology and chemistry laboratory settings

Required Skills

• Experience processing larval or juvenile marine fish (identification, measurement, dissection)
• Experience removing otoliths, stomach contents, and tissue samples
• Experience preparing biological samples for chemical analyses (e.g., isotopes, lipids, thiamine)
• Ability to homogenize tissue samples for analysis
• Experience organizing and quality-checking scientific data
• Familiarity with relational databases and QA/QC procedures

Preferred Experience

• Experience operating or supporting calorimetry equipment (e.g., PARR semi-microbomb calorimeter)
• Experience analyzing diet or energetic content of fish

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work on-site in a laboratory environment in Juneau, AK
• Ability to participate in local, single-day field surveys
• Ability to follow established laboratory protocols to maintain data consistency
• Ability to complete required NOAA training (e.g., IT security, safety, records management)

• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Competitive compensation
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Training, tuition assistance & professional development
• Performance-based bonuses
• Employee referral program

About FISH

FISH is a provider of innovative solutions in fisheries, marine science, and environmental research. With a commitment to scientific excellence and resource stewardship, FISH leverages technical expertise and advanced field operations to support the management and conservation of aquatic resources and protected species. As a growing small business specializing in professional, scientific, and technical services, FISH combines deep scientific expertise with proven, results-driven processes to deliver technically sound, cost-effective solutions.

FISH is an E-Verify employer. This position may be supported through FLOAT, a joint venture supporting NOAA ProTech Fisheries. FISH is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.