Biological Technician - Laboratory

Job Description

Job Description

Biological Technician (Laboratory) Population Biology Branch (PBB) Falmouth, MA (WHOI); Pocasset, MA; and Narragansett, RI

This role supports laboratory and fieldwork activities related to biological sampling for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)

Join @Orchard in advancing critical biological research with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). This opportunity supports the Population Biology Branch (PBB) within the Population and Ecosystems Monitoring and Analysis Division (PEMAD), where biological sampling plays a foundational role in fisheries stock assessments and marine ecosystem understanding.

The PBB team focuses on collecting and analyzing biological samples to inform decisions about the health, age, growth, and reproduction of fish, invertebrates, and elasmobranch species along the Atlantic coast. These efforts are essential to sustaining healthy fisheries and ensuring science-based management of U.S. marine resources.

@Orchard is seeking a dedicated Biological Technician to support year-round lab and sea-based operations. In this role, you will assist with sample processing, species identification, data entry, and field support during resource surveys. The position includes occasional travel aboard NOAA research cruises and offers the chance to apply your biological and technical skills directly to a nationally significant mission.

This is an ideal opportunity for early-career marine science professionals or biological technicians with strong attention to detail, flexible schedules, and a passion for data-driven conservation. If you’re ready to support real-world fisheries science from lab bench to ship deck, we invite you to be part of this impactful team.

Key Responsibilities

As a Biological Technician, your key responsibilities include:

• Collecting, sorting, identifying, and preserving biological samples and data as required.
• Maintaining or continuing to process biological samples and data in the laboratory using routine methods.
• Entering data and reporting to the Federal Program Lead regarding progress.
• Participating in resource survey cruises once to up to four times per year (5-50 days per year) to assist in the collection of oceanographic and biological samples and data. In the laboratory, they shall assist in the processing of biological specimens.
• Assisting in the use of equipment, instruments, or software to carry out standardized procedures and computations of varying complexity, and including basic, descriptive data analysis and regular communications of findings, including written summaries.
• Providing technical support for oceanographic and fisheries sampling including assistance with finfish, elasmobranch, and invertebrate sampling; associated biological, habitat, and oceanographic sampling; supply and equipment preparation; data entry, quality assurance and control; laboratory experiments on finfish; age, reproduction, and food habits processing; fostering a safe work environment and effectively using information technology resources.
• Performing special tasks regarding ensuring data quality and providing periodic written progress reports.
• Participating in task/project-specific workshops, scientific meetings, and outreach events.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

To be successful in this role, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated High school degree with 1-2 years’ experience, or an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in the identification of finfish, elasmobranchs, shellfish, and other invertebrate species commonly encountered along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras
• Some experience with microscopes, image analysis systems, lapidary saws, or electronic data entry systems.
• Medically qualified to go to sea for more than one week at a time, and interested in going to sea aboard research vessels.
• Some experience dissecting fish or working with live fish in aquaria.
• Some experience with personal computers using word processing software, spreadsheets, and email.
• Aptitude but not necessarily experience with microscopes, image analysis systems, or electronic data entry systems.
• Aptitude, but not necessarily experience, to dissect fish or work with live fish in aquaria.
• Aptitude and limited experience with personal computers using word processing software, spreadsheets, and email.

Essential Conditions of Employment

• Sea-Readiness: Working at sea or in the laboratory may occasionally involve extended hours or weekends, OT not to exceed 100 h per month.

This position includes authorized overtime, travel, and training as required by the project scope. If you are ready to contribute to a vital environmental mission, we encourage you to apply.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at .