Ocean Career: DMR Offshore Wind Bottom Trawl Contractor

Offshore Wind Research Assistant

Tri-State Staffing is seeking to fill one short-term position to assist with several projects in the DMR Offshore Wind Research Program with Dr. Casey Yanos. The primary focus will be assisting on DMR's Offshore Wind Research Array Bottom Trawl Survey. This position will be based at the West Boothbay Harbor lab. Other duties will include assisting with DMR's Offshore Wind Research Array Zooplankton Sampling and Highly Migratory Species Monitoring.

This is a 40-hour/week in-person position.

Work will take place primarily at the DMR West Boothbay Laboratory (M-F, between 8-5), with survey days leaving from Portland. A Boothbay-based vehicle will be available for transportation or mileage will be reimbursed.

The primary duties of this position are to carry out the Offshore Wind Bottom Trawl Survey by: organizing equipment and data sheets, joining the ocean-based survey (approximately 10pm – 8pm the following day, eight times per season (three seasons during the course of the projected timeframe)), sorting and measuring live samples onboard, dissecting and identifying stomach contents of preserved samples, and entering data into digital databases.

Other duties related to the offshore wind research program may include: assisting on a zooplankton survey by participating in the ocean-based survey (approximately 6am-5pm occasionally) and assisting on highly migratory species monitoring by participating in the oceanbased survey (approximately 6am-5pm occasionally).

Tasks are divided between laboratory and field depending on program and project needs.

Other duties include organizing supplies, processing preserved samples in the lab, and occasionally assisting with other offshore wind research projects. Strong data entry and record keeping are required.

Requirements:

• At least two years of experience and/or education in laboratory or field-based research.
• Boating experience actively working in variable weather conditions (up to 6ft seas).
• Experience spending multiple days at sea at a time is preferred but not required. Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Attention to detail; ability to follow protocols and gauge when troubleshooting is needed.
• Strong communication skills within a collaborative environment.
• Comfortable working independently under minimal supervision.
• The successful candidate must have a valid driver's license.

Contract terms:
September 21, 2026 through December 31, 2026 with a likely extension through June 2027

Salary: $21.54 hourly

Final date to receive applications:
August 31, 2026

Location:

West Boothbay Harbor, Maine