Sr. Ichthyoplankton Ecologist

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 Sr. Ichthyoplankton Ecologist to support SWFSC California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). The Sr. Ichthyoplankton Ecologist supports the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The incumbent performs laboratory sorting and identification of fish and zooplankton samples, participates in at-sea sample collection during quarterly CalCOFI and fishery resource assessment surveys, and contributes to data analysis and scientific reporting in support of stock assessments and Integrated Ecosystem Assessments.

Responsibilities: 

• Serve as Chief Scientist on NOAA-led CalCOFI surveys: plan station activities; communicate with the ship’s bridge; liaise between ship crew, scientific staff, and Principal Investigators; coordinate ship onloading/offloading; schedule staff for shifts
• Sort samples in the laboratory; identify target taxa; count all sorted specimens; measure lengths of key taxa; record data on standard forms and deliver completed forms to data entry personnel
• Via and label sorted samples and box per standard protocols
• Perform data analyses and literature reviews as needed in preparation of scientific manuscripts
• Complete and preserve sample collection data sheets and identification/count databases following standard protocols
• Collect trawl catch compositions and demographic data for target species per cruise-specific protocols
• Work aboard research vessels to deploy and recover oceanographic equipment (CTD rosettes, plankton nets) and process samples during CalCOFI and fishery resource assessment surveys
• Submit monthly progress reports covering accomplishments, issues encountered, significant outcomes, action items, and recommendations

Qualifications: 

• PhD with prior experience serving as Chief Scientist on research cruises or Master’s degree plus two (2) years
• Experience using a microscope to sort fish eggs, larvae, and paralarval cephalopods from plankton samples
• Experience using a microscope and ocular micrometer to make standard measurements
• Experience identifying fish eggs and larvae, preferably of target coastal pelagic species (Northern Anchovy, Pacific Sardine, Pacific Hake, Jack Mackerel, Pacific Mackerel)
• Experience in plankton sample collection and processing, preferably using standard CalCOFI protocols (Kramer et al. 1972, NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ-370)
• Experience processing fish from trawl surveys (length/weight measurements, otolith and tissue collection)
• Ability to complete required medical clearances for field work

Learn more about A.I.S. Inc. and apply here.