Statistical Analysis Support Services

Statistical Analysis Support Services

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide statistical analysis support services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division (FE) in Seattle, WA.

The Fish Ecology Division at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) conducts scientific research on marine and anadromous species in the Pacific Northwest and California to support management of these species as mandated by the authorizing mechanisms outlined above. Some stocks are managed under the MSA to produce abundant harvest opportunities for commercial and recreational fishermen and to meet tribal treaty obligations, while others are in decline and protected by the ESA.

The NWFSC also researches ways to improve aquaculture and increase seafood safety.

The NWFSC is a leader in quantitative analyses supporting fisheries management for marine and anadromous species. It produces increasingly large datasets as quantitative research techniques become more complex. Researchers examine complex relationships between managed stocks and their environments that involve highly technical statistical approaches that continue to rapidly evolve. The Center collaborates with regional partners to manage data and provide public access to empirical and modeled data products.

There is a strong need for continued improvement in both the ability to conduct advanced quantitative analyses and to adeptly manage and share resulting research products. Modern fisheries management faces a growing data-capacity gap: data volume is surging while managers have less time to interpret complex research.

• Provide statistical analysis to inform management decisions.
• Statistically analyze spatial and temporal variability in processes experienced by migrating salmon in the river systems, especially to understand survival and migration patterns through hydropower systems and through their life cycles.
• Analyze and generate relationships between fish responses (e.g. density, growth, survival, migration rate) and stressors (e.g. environmental or ecological conditions, habitat metrics, management actions, etc.) in particular life stages.
• Develop novel probabilistic mathematical and simulation models that seek to represent unique and complex ecological and behavioral processes with modern statistical methods.
• Provide statistical support for other researchers during study design and analysis.
• Organize and curate ecological datasets relevant to mark-recapture modeling needs.
• Document and share reproducible research workflows and analytical protocols to ensure scientific transparency and peer collaboration.
• Publish reports and scientific papers, and present results at regional and national meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Assist with field collection of fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region, as needed. This may involve riding in vehicles and/or boats.

Start Date:

Contingent upon award of contract.

Location:

Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA, or at one of its associated field stations in WA or OR.

Travel:
Travel is anticipated. A valid driver's license must be maintained.

Salary and Benefits:
This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $45.00 - $60.00+ per hour.

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• PhD degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order with emphasis in statistics, mathematics, fisheries, ecology, or the natural sciences is required. Must have a strong quantitative background with a solid foundation and extensive coursework in statistics and probability. Knowledge and experience in Bayesian statistics and mark-recapture methods is strongly preferred.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region. An Advanced Degree in a related field may be substituted for two…