Research Statistician

Ocean Associates, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Associates, Inc. seeks a Research Statistician to support NOAA NWFSC FE in Seattle, WA. The role focuses on advanced quantitative analyses of salmon ecology, survival, and migration, using Bayesian methods and state-of-the-art models.

The position is full-time with benefits; it requires a PhD and substantial experience with ecological data, R/Stan/JAGS, and Linux scripting. Travel and field data collection may be involved.

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistics/Mathematics/Applied Mathematics with a strong quantitative emphasis.
• Minimum six years of experience applying statistics to ecological data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; experience writing reports/papers.
• Experience in Bayesian statistics and mark-recapture methods preferred.
• Proficient in R; familiarity with Stan/JAGS; open science concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide statistical analyses to inform management decisions.
• Analyze spatial and temporal variability in processes affecting migrating salmon.
• Model relationships between fish responses and environmental/explanatory variables.
• Develop probabilistic mathematical and simulation models using modern statistics.
• Provide statistical support for study design and analysis.
• Organize and curate ecological datasets for mark-recapture needs.
• Document reproducible workflows and analytical protocols.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Bayesian statistics

Mark-recapture methods

R programming

Stan

JAGS

Linux / shell scripting

Data management

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. in Statistics / Mathematics / Applied Mathematics

Tools

R

Stan

JAGS

Linux

Shell scripting

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

C/C++

Job description

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Research Statistician to provide services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division (FE), in Seattle, WA. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.

Background

The Fish Ecology Division at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) conducts scientific research on marine and anadromous species in the Pacific Northwest and California to support management of these species as mandated by the authorizing mechanisms outlined above. Some stocks are managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to produce abundant harvest opportunities for commercial and recreational fishermen and to meet tribal treaty obligations, while others are in decline and protected by the Endangered Species Act. The NWFSC also researches ways to improve aquaculture and increase seafood safety. Holistic understanding of all factors controlling the abundance and health of fisheries and aquaculture often requires an ecosystem approach, working to understand how managed natural resources are affected by their prey, competitors, predators, habitats, and humans. This position will support NWFSC staff and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, natural resource managers, and tribal representatives to conduct ecological research on species that NOAA is mandated to manage.

The NWFSC is a leader in quantitative analyses supporting fisheries management for marine and anadromous species. It produces increasingly large datasets as quantitative research techniques become more complex. Researchers examine complex relationships between managed stocks and their environments that involve highly technical statistical approaches that continue to rapidly evolve. The Center collaborates with regional partners to manage data and provide public access to empirical and modeled data products. There is a strong need for continued improvement in both the ability to conduct advanced quantitative analyses and to adeptly manage and share resulting research products. Modern fisheries management faces a growing data-capacity gap: data volume is surging while managers have less time to interpret complex research.

Tasks

Key tasks include the following:

• Provide statistical analyses to inform management decisions.
• Statistically analyze spatial and temporal variability in processes experienced by migrating salmon in river systems, especially to understand survival and migration patterns through hydropower systems and through their life cycles.
• Analyze and generate relationships between fish responses (e.g., density, growth, survival, migration rate) and explanatory variables (e.g., environmental or ecological conditions, habitat metrics, management actions, etc.) in particular life stages.
• Develop novel probabilistic mathematical and simulation models that seek to represent unique and complex ecological and behavioral processes with modern statistical methods.
• Provide statistical support for other researchers during study design and analysis.
• Organize and curate ecological datasets relevant to mark-recapture modeling needs.
• Document and share reproducible research workflows and analytical protocols to ensure scientific transparency and peer collaboration.
• Publish reports and scientific papers, and present results at regional and national meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Assist with field collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region, as needed. This may involve riding in vehicles and/or boats.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Location: Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA, or at one of its associated field stations in WA or OR.

Travel: Travel is anticipated. A valid driver’s license must be maintained.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $45.00 - $50.00+ per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Statistics, Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics, or in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order with a strong quantitative emphasis required. Must have a strong quantitative background with a solid foundation and extensive coursework in mathematics, statistical theory, probability, experimental design, and applied statistics with proof of coursework taken. Knowledge and experience in Bayesian statistics and mark-recapture methods is strongly preferred.
• Six (6) or more years of experience related to the task order, with experience in applications to ecological data preferred. Familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region is also preferred but not required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and experience writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed articles.
• Strong quantitative skills including extensive experience in statistical modeling and data analysis, and thorough understanding of core concepts of probability and statistical theory. Extensive experience conducting analyses and coding in R, experience with programs Stan and JAGS, and experience with open science concepts. Strong computational skills, including the ability to manipulate large environmental datasets within a command-line environment (e.g., Linux/shell scripting) to support statistical workflows. Familiarity interpreting or interfacing with C or C++ code within a scientific modeling context. Familiarity with common software including Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high-quality work products efficiently. Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.