Fisheries Biologist (Lab & Field Support)

aisobservers; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 27,552 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Vacation and holiday benefits

Job summary

aisobservers is seeking a Fisheries Biologist (Lab & Field Support) to assist with the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center research. This role involves sample processing, data entry, and participation in oceanographic surveys in Juneau, AK.

The candidate should have a high school diploma, some relevant experience, and the ability to follow detailed procedures. This full-time position includes benefits like health insurance and vacation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 0–3+ years of relevant experience.
• Ability to follow detailed SOPs with 95%+ accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Inventory samples arriving at the laboratory.
• Measure length and weight of organisms.
• Analyze fish samples for energy density.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry accuracy

Sample processing

Laboratory analysis

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in fisheries or biology

Job description

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is looking for a Fisheries Biologist (Lab & Field Support) to support the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (IERP).

Primary Function

Under direction of NOAA AFSC biologists, the Fisheries Biologist will support ongoing fisheries oceanographic research associated with the Northern Bering Sea IERP. The position involves hands‑on laboratory sample processing of crab, fish, and zooplankton specimens collected during annual Bering Sea surveys, as well as participation in ocean‑going research surveys aboard NOAA research vessels.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Inventory samples arriving at the laboratory.
• Measure length and weight of organisms.
• Remove otoliths from fish samples.
• Remove tissue pieces for genetic analysis.
• Remove tissue pieces for isotope analysis.
• Remove fish stomachs and tissues for diet and energetic work.
• Homogenize samples as required.
• Analyze fish using the PARR Instrument Company semi‑microbomb calorimeter for energy density.
• Prepare samples for lipid analysis.
• Prepare samples for isotope analysis.
• Enter data accurately and perform quality control procedures on raw and electronic data files.
• Participate in annual oceanographic research surveys at sea, including zooplankton, biological and physical oceanography (operating CTD), and fish and invertebrate sampling.
• Submit monthly progress reports including accomplishments, issues encountered, and recommendations.

Compensation

Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated and total compensation will vary depending on candidates' depth of experience. This is a full‑time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 0–3+ years of relevant experience.
• Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample processing and data entry with 95%+ accuracy.
• Must be able to obtain a DOC/NOAA Public Trust background investigation clearance prior to beginning performance.
• Must possess or be able to obtain REAL ID‑compliant identification for facility access.

Preferred Qualifications

• College coursework in fisheries, oceanography, biology, or a related natural science field preferred (up to bachelor's degree).
• One year of experience in both a biology and chemistry laboratory preferred.
• Experience working aboard research or commercial fishing vessels.
• Experience processing larval or juvenile marine fish, including species identification at larval/juvenile stages, length and weight measurement, stomach content dissection, and otolith/fin/scale removal.
• Demonstrated proficiency organizing field and laboratory data, including QC procedures on both raw and electronic datasets.

Travel

• Travel Required.
• Field survey deployments are expected each summer (2027–2030), with up to two overnight trips per year to embark/disembark NOAA research vessels in Dutch Harbor, Nome, Barrow, or other Alaska locations.

Location

• Auke Bay Laboratories in Juneau, AK (17109 Point Lena Loop Road).

An Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company-sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Must be able to work in the U.S. VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals. Equal Opportunity Employer.