Fisheries Research Associate – Field, Lab, and Data Support

Lynker Corporation; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive healthcare at no monthly cost

401(k) with company matching

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Tuition assistance

Paid Time Off and holidays

Job summary

Lynker Corporation is in search of a Fisheries Research Associate to support the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle, WA. This contract role involves diverse responsibilities, from collecting fish data to conducting laboratory experiments and analysis for informed fisheries management decisions.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree in a relevant field, have strong communication and quantitative skills, and experience in ecological research. The position offers comprehensive healthcare, a competitive salary, and flexible benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a relevant field like fisheries or ecology.
• Familiarity with common workplace software (Google Suite, Microsoft Office).
• Three years of experience related to the task order preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect fish and environmental data in diverse marine environments.
• Conduct fieldwork outdoors in or around water, including harsh conditions.
• Drive vehicles/boats and assist on ship surveys.
• Conduct data visualization and analysis.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong quantitative skills

Familiarity with modeling and data analysis

Familiarity with Google Suite and Microsoft Office

Ability to work independently and on teams

Experience writing reports

Familiarity with R and GitHub

Ability to manage workload and produce high-quality work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, ecology, or related fields

Job description

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Fisheries Research Associate – Field, Lab, and Data Support to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, in conducting field, laboratory, data processing, analysis, and reporting activities that inform fisheries management decisions. This proposed contract role will contribute to ecological research supporting marine and anadromous species management, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture research, and ecosystem-based understanding of species, habitats, and environmental conditions. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.*

The NWFSC Fish Ecology Division conducts scientific research on marine and anadromous species in the Pacific Northwest and California to support management of these species. Some stocks are managed under the Magnuson‑Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to produce harvest opportunities and meet tribal treaty obligations, while others are in decline and protected by the Endangered Species Act. This role supports ecological research conducted with NWFSC staff and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, natural resource managers, and tribal representatives.

Responsibilities

• Collect fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region.
• Conduct field work outdoors in or around water, including in sometimes harsh conditions.
• Drive vehicles and/or boats and trailers, and provide occasional assistance on ship surveys lasting days to weeks, as needed.
• Implement occasional laboratory experiments and data processing activities.
• Conduct data visualization and analysis.
• Conduct literature reviews to extract data and published relationships between ecological outcomes and potential stressors or habitat metrics.
• Collaborate with team members to produce tools that improve transparency and efficiency of management decision making and permitting.
• Share comprehensive workflow protocols and research products so others can easily interact with them and understand what was done.
• Write reports, contribute to journal manuscripts, and present results at regional meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Participate reliably in field and/or laboratory activities coordinated by the NWFSC.
• Document that samples or data were collected, stored, and processed using established protocols.
• Maintain reproducible workflows and store analysis products in an accessible and organized way.
• Provide written status reports and other ad hoc communications, as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order, with emphasis in fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience writing reports and publishing peer‑reviewed articles.
• Familiarity with common workplace software such as Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Strong quantitative skills, including familiarity with modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with software such as R and GitHub.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high‑quality work products efficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.
• Valid driver’s license, maintained during the period of performance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region.
• Advanced degree, MS or PhD, in a related field may be substituted for two years of experience.

Work Environment

Work will be conducted on‑site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA, or at one of its associated field stations in WA or OR. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead. Part‑time telework is authorized with a formal telework agreement between the contractor and employee, subject to Office of the Chief Information Officer IT security requirements.

Field collection involves work outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions in or around water. The role may involve driving vehicles and/or boats and trailers and occasional assistance on ship surveys. Travel is anticipated and authorized for this task order and must be approved by the Contractor in coordination with the COR before travel occurs. Contractor personnel may periodically be required to drive Government Vehicles after completing Government Defensive Driving training. Overtime is not anticipated and, if required, must be coordinated through the CO and approved in writing on a case‑by‑case basis.

This project is considered low risk, and Contractor staff must be suited for public trust classification. Background investigations are required for all contractor staff proposed for this project and must be cleared prior to beginning performance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self‑directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.