Biological Scientist (Marine/Fisheries Science)

Job Description

Job Description

Biological Scientist (Marine Biologist or Fisheries Scientist) Population Biology Branch (PBB) Falmouth, MA (WHOI); Pocasset, MA; and Narragansett, RI

This role supports more advanced biological research and technical responsibilities for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)

Join @Orchard in delivering mission-critical scientific support to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and its Population Biology Branch (PBB). This role places you at the intersection of biological research, laboratory analysis, and fieldwork, contributing to NOAA’s long-term commitment to sustainable marine resource management.

The PBB plays a vital role in conducting age, growth, and reproductive studies that inform fish stock assessments across the Northwest Atlantic. This opportunity offers hands-on engagement in specimen analysis, oceanographic surveys, and data-driven fisheries science.

@Orchard is seeking a Marine Biologist / Fisheries Scientist to support NEFSC’s research programs. In this role, you’ll collect and process biological samples, conduct histological and morphological analysis, and contribute to research cruise operations and database-driven scientific reporting.

You’ll collaborate with federal scientists, research staff, and field technicians in both lab and sea environments. Suppose you’re experienced in fisheries sampling, biological data analysis, and ready to contribute to meaningful marine research. In that case, this position offers a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise and make a meaningful impact.

Key Responsibilities

As a Biological Science Support team member, 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.
• Conducting special projects regarding accessing data files, including from relational databases, analyzing histology preparations of fish gonads, and performing preliminary analyses.
• Conducting limited professional assignments under periodic technical supervision on all phases of assignments.
• Applying established methods, tests, procedures, and techniques, and recording actions and results.
• Assisting with database maintenance, queries, and summaries; preparation of graphics and support for scientific reports and documents.
• 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:

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years’ experience or a Master’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
• Demonstrated experience relevant to project-specific interests, including interpreting samples and data of:

• fish hard parts, such as otoliths or vertebrae, for ageing,

• gonads, including maturity classification, histological methods, and fecundity

• stomach contents, specifically to identify partially or well-digested prey

• Demonstrated experience with microscopes, image analysis systems (Image J), or electronic data entry systems.
• Demonstrated experience at sea for more than one week at a time.
• Demonstrated experience dissecting fish or working with live fish in aquaria.
• Demonstrated experience with personal computers using word processing software, spreadsheets, and email.
• Demonstrated experience with database management, including relational databases, producing data summaries and reporting (Oracle, R).
• Basic statistical knowledge, such as a univariate, parametric statistics course.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating on peer-reviewed scientific presentations and publications.

Essential Conditions of Employment

• Sea-Readiness: Work at sea or in the laboratory may occasionally involve extended hours or weekends

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 .