Fisheries Biologist (Lab & Field Support)

aisobservers; Newport (OR); 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 for supporting NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center's research. The role involves laboratory processing and fieldwork in oceanographic studies, requiring precision and adherence to protocols.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma and relevant experience. The position offers a full-time hourly rate, with benefits like health insurance, and requires some travel for field surveys.

Qualifications

• 0–3+ years of relevant experience in a biology or chemistry lab.
• Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures with high accuracy.
• Must obtain DOC/NOAA Public Trust background investigation clearance.

Responsibilities

• Process crab, fish, and zooplankton samples in the lab.
• Participate in ocean-going research surveys aboard NOAA vessels.
• Enter and maintain data in established databases.

Skills

Attention to detail

Laboratory sample processing

Data entry accuracy

Marine biology knowledge

Education

High school diploma

College coursework in fisheries or biology

Tools

Gas chromatography

Lab equipment for lipid analysis

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
• Removal of otoliths for fish
• Removal of tissue pieces for genetics
• Removal of tissue pieces for Isotopes
• Removal of fish stomachs and tissues for diet and energetic work
• Homogenize samples
• Chemically extract marine samples for total lipids
• Analyze marine samples for total lipids and lipid classes using thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC_FID)
• Derivatize marine lipid samples into fatty acid methyl esters using acid catalyzed transesterification
• Analyze fatty acids in marine food web samples by integrating data from a gas chromatographer with flame ionization detection (GC_FID)
• Enter data accurately into established databases and conduct quality control procedures on both raw and electronic data
• Participate in annual field surveys aboard NOAA research vessels, assisting with zooplankton, biological and physical oceanography (CTD operations), and fish/invertebrate sampling as directed by the chief scientist
• Complete all required NOAA training (IT security, safety, SASH prevention, records management, laboratory hazardous chemical, large vessel marine safety, first aid/CPR) prior to or at start of performance
• Prepare monthly progress reports documenting 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
• Familiarity with lipid analysis techniques (TLC‑FID, GC‑FID) or calorimetry instrumentation

Travel

• Travel is 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.
• Personnel will travel to Auke Bay Labs in Juneau, AK for one week‑long sample processing trip per fiscal year (FY28–FY30).
• All travel is reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations and must be pre‑approved.

Location

• 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR (Hatfield Marine Science Center)

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