Field Scientist - Cooperative Fisheries Research - ZipRecruiter : Job Details

Field Scientist – Cooperative Fisheries Research

Locations: Falmouth, MA (WHOI); Pocasset, MA; and Narragansett, RI

This role involves significant time on board research vessels and collaborating with stakeholders throughout the Northeast Region.

Join @Orchard in supporting a critical mission with NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). This position places you at the intersection of marine science and community partnership, working within the Cooperative Research Branch (CRB) to enhance the science underpinning the sustainability of our nation's living marine resources.

Your work will directly support ecosystem-based fisheries management by fostering collaborative research with the commercial and recreational fishing industries. By building trust and working closely with industry partners, you will help collect vital biological and environmental data, ensuring NOAA's scientific assessments are informed by practical, real-world knowledge. This role offers a unique opportunity to bridge communities and make a tangible impact on marine ecosystem stewardship.

@Orchard is seeking a versatile, community-oriented Field Scientist to lead cooperative research initiatives. You will act as a key liaison between scientists and fishing partners, responsible for planning, executing, and supporting joint research projects at sea and ashore. The role requires a blend of field expertise, technical skills, and excellent interpersonal abilities. Responsibilities include training fishermen on scientific protocols, deploying data collection equipment, analyzing samples in the lab, and contributing to scientific reports. If you are a self-reliant, adaptable scientist who thrives in challenging field conditions and values collaboration, this position offers a meaningful chance to advance transparent marine science.

Key Responsibilities

Your duties will include:

• Participating in research trips aboard commercial vessels, coordinating scientific and vessel crews, and implementing sampling protocols.
• Providing technical assistance at sea and ashore, including troubleshooting electronic data systems.
• Training industry partners on scientific equipment and procedures.
• Deploying, retrieving, and maintaining scientific gear and instruments.
• Collecting, sorting, and processing fish samples, including biological sampling, tagging, and dissection.
• Operating small vessels for NOAA missions (if qualified).

• Maintaining and repairing laboratory and field equipment, and assisting in building custom tools.
• Managing fishery-related databases, including data entry, validation, and analysis.
• Processing biological specimens for studies on growth, maturity, genetics, and diet.
• Analyzing video data to characterize habitats and marine organisms.
• Contributing to scientific protocols, data practices, and software development.

• Organizing logistical support for industry participants, including recruitment, training, and communication.
• Contributing to reports, manuscripts, and outreach materials.
• Participating in industry meetings, symposia, and workshops to present findings.
• Working independently and facilitating collaboration among diverse team members.

• Assisting with procurement and permit compliance.
• Debriefing with CRB leadership and recommending improvements.
• Training new staff members.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education & Professional Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Fisheries, Marine Biology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least three (3) years of experience in fisheries science or related work.
• Experience collecting biological data aboard commercial fishing vessels.
• Proven ability to collaborate with industry partners.
• Experience troubleshooting scientific electronic hardware and software.

Skills, Knowledge & Certifications:

• Ability to work independently and lead or assist field teams in adverse conditions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Workspace tools.
• Valid driver's license.
• Certifications required or obtainable: NSC Defensive Driving, First Aid/CPR/AED, Safety-At-Sea Training.

Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC has a strong reputation for providing staffing solutions to address talent scarcity and deliver better talent management ROI. We specialize in program talent acquisition across various technical and functional areas. For more opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.atOrchard.com.