Marine Biologist - Hampton Bays, NY

Marine Biologist – Hampton Bays, NY – A.I.S. Inc.

Interested in fishery sustainability, management, and hands‑on marine biology work? Become a Marine Biologist. A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities that require certification of compliance with environmental regulations and data collection for federal, state, municipal, and other government agencies along the U.S. coastline.

We are recruiting Marine Biologists (Fisheries Observers) to work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) aboard commercial fishing vessels.

The primary goal of the government’s fishery observation programs is to provide quantitative biological, vessel, and gear‑selectivity information for the New England and Mid‑Atlantic fishery. Each biologist operates on commercial fishing vessels operating in ports throughout New England and the Mid‑Atlantic. After a 3‑week paid training (03/15/2026 – 04/03/2026) conducted in‑person in Falmouth, MA, biologists are deployed from ports throughout New England and Mid‑Atlantic states.

Biologists record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels. They work on deck on vessels ranging from 20′ to 100′ on trips roughly ranging from 7 to 14 days, collecting data on fish catch and discard and incidental takes such as marine mammals, seabirds, and marine turtles. Biologists also attend training that includes instruction on sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal/sea turtle identification, and safety.

Biologists must be mentally prepared to be away from home for multiple days, physically able to handle heavy lifting, and capable of working odd hours and long days in rough seas. The role offers a challenging career and broad advancement opportunities, including project management, field supervisory roles, and fieldwork in other programs.

Starting pay is $20.25 /hour. Depending on enrollment in the health & wellness benefit, biologists may also receive an additional $4.57 /hour for the first 40 hours worked each calendar week, for a total of $24.82 /hour. This is a full‑time position with benefits, and annually biologists earn between $35 K – $55 K, dependent on availability to deploy offshore and personal sea‑day accomplishments.

Biologists are paid a minimum of 12 hours for each calendar day offshore and are eligible for additional compensable activities while on land.

AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits. Potential additional compensation consists of data‑quality bonus, service awards, fitness‑center reimbursement, and candidate referral bonus. Travel is reimbursed at an hourly rate along with compensation for miles accrued on a personal vehicle and per diem at the specified government rate.

• A bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology or Biology from an accredited college or university with at least 30 credits of biology coursework.
• At least one undergraduate course in math or statistics.
• All relevant coursework performed at a level acceptable for credit at the candidate’s academic institution.
• Experience with data entry on computers.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens, or be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Candidates must be physically able, as determined by a licensed physician’s certification to perform biologist duties.
• Your own transportation is required.
• Candidates are expected to commit to the program for at least one year.

• At‑sea experience.
• Coursework in dichotomous keys.

Applicants must be currently living or be willing to live within 50 miles of Hampton Bays, NY.

To apply for one of these exciting new openings, click the link to the Careers Page to submit the following information:

• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing at‑sea and fish experience
• At least five professional references (name, email address, and phone number)
• Unofficial copies of your college transcripts with the award date listed

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