Ocean Career: Marine Resource Scientist at Maine’s Department of Marine Resources

Independent Scientific Lead For DMR's Large Whale Research Program

This is a new position created to be the independent scientific lead for DMR's large whale research program. The position will be responsible for designing and implementing high priority research that will support and expand on current monitoring programs, as well as feed directly into management and modeling initiatives. Currently, a large focus of the work is on the endangered North Atlantic right whale, including understanding their distribution and habitat use along Maine's coast and how the resulting overlap with fixed gear fisheries impacts both right whale conservation and management of the fishery.

In addition to the biological research outlined above, the position will work directly with fixed gear fisheries to develop and test mitigation measures, including new technologies and gear modifications to reduce the risk of gear entanglement. This position will also represent DMR at state, regional, and federal meetings and working groups as appointed, including as a member of the Northeast Implementation Team for the Right Whale Recovery Plan.

The position will lead and support partners in collaborative research projects, including pursuing external funding opportunities that align with DMR's priorities. The position will provide recommendations, scientific analyses, and input to the policy group at DMR on large whale conservation, fishery management, offshore wind development, and other related issues as needed. Finally, the position will work across programmatic lines within the DMR to foster collaboration and maximize DMR's strengths.

This is a supervisory position that will include the direct supervision of multiple DMR staff members and contractors, as well as the oversight of other programs within the Division as assigned. Work will include other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge of large whale biology and related bycatch issues. Preference will be given to candidates with experience working collaboratively with the fishing industry, as well as an expertise in an area of study such as passive acoustics, telemetry, risk mitigation, or habitat modelling.

A successful candidate should demonstrate strong supervisory, analytical, project design, and writing skills. Experience in Microsoft Access, R, and GIS are preferred but not required.

Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelors Degree in a scientific, technical, or engineering discipline, or equivalent in directly related work experience and eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of marine resource research and management or related field which includes supervision and coordination of research and support functions.

Salary: $59,176.00 – $80,808.00/Annually* (
* Includes 5.5% Stipend)