Research Program Manager – Marine Mammals + Sea Turtles

Location:

Miami, FL, Beaufort, NC, or Pascagoula, MS (Hybrid/Remote Eligible)

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Client: NOAA Fisheries (NMFS)

Security Requirement:
Public Trust Eligibility Required (US Citizen)

CASE Consultants International seeks an experienced Research Program Manager – Marine Mammals & Sea Turtles to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Marine Mammal & Turtle Division (MMTD). This role coordinates multidisciplinary research programs that advance the conservation and management of marine mammals and sea turtles across the Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Caribbean. Working closely with NOAA scientists, Chief Scientists, Principal Investigators, and research partners, the manager oversees scientific operations spanning project planning, field surveys, data management, logistics, and scientific communications.

• Research Program Coordination
  • Coordinate scientific projects from planning through completion.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for Chief Scientists during vessel and field operations.
  • Assist with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and ship time requests.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary research activities across NOAA programs and partner organizations.
• Scientific Data Management
  • Manage complex biological and environmental datasets supporting marine mammal and sea turtle research.
  • Develop and maintain standardized data management protocols.
  • Ensure data quality through validation, quality assurance, and metadata development.
  • Archive scientific information in accordance with NOAA data governance policies and cloud‑based repositories.
• Field & Survey Operations
  • Coordinate logistics for vessel, aerial, and field surveys.
  • Manage scientific equipment inventories, maintenance, storage, and deployment.
  • Coordinate equipment loans and support field teams during research operations.
  • Assist with implementation of research protocols and permit compliance.
• Scientific Communications
  • Prepare technical reports, scientific summaries, and peer‑reviewed publications.
  • Develop data summaries and project documentation.
  • Maintain research websites and communicate project updates through outreach materials and field blogs.
  • Present scientific findings to technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Master’s degree in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field with relevant professional research experience.
• Demonstrated experience in marine research program coordination, scientific data management, biological data quality assurance and control, field survey planning and logistics, technical writing and scientific reporting, and working with multidisciplinary research teams.

• Marine mammal or sea turtle ecology
• Fisheries or protected species research experience
• Knowledge of NOAA or other federal scientific programs
• Experience with biological database management, cloud‑based data repositories, metadata standards, and scientific data governance.
• GIS and spatial data management expertise.
• Vessel operations and scientific field logistics proficiency.
• Understanding of scientific permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Website content management and scientific communications skills.

CASE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and cultivating talented professionals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We equitably consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information as mandated by applicable law.