Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist

Overview

Innovate! Inc is seeking a highly experienced Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist to combine quantitative ecology, oceanographic and fisheries data science, scientific synthesis, and field support to evaluate predator-prey dynamics and predation-related mortality affecting Pacific salmon and convert complex West Coast ecological data into actionable management products.

Location: Seattle, WA |
Salary Range: $115,000 - $155,000 |
Position status: Full Time; with benefits |
Location: Seattle, WA

Contingent upon contract being awarded

Location: Work will be conducted on-site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington (WA) or at one of its associated field stations in WA or Oregon

Job Title: Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist

Posted: 7/15/26

Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with match, Life Insurance, and PTO

• Compile, organize, clean, standardize, and analyze large spatial and temporal datasets related to predator-prey distributions, predator abundance, predator diet, bioenergetics, environmental conditions, and salmon survival.
• Develop spatial-temporal and quantitative analyses that evaluate localized environmental effects on predator-prey distributions and predation rates on managed fish populations.
• Quantify trophic interactions, predation pressure, sources of predator-induced mortality, and survival implications for Pacific salmon.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews addressing predator consumption rates, abundance and distribution, ecological outcomes, environmental stressors, and changing environmental conditions.
• Synthesize findings into technical reports, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, book chapters, management briefings, and publication-ready scientific products.
• Present complex research results to NWFSC colleagues, regional managers, interdisciplinary partners, and broader scientific audiences.
• Collect fish and environmental field data in freshwater and marine environments when required, including work in harsh conditions and operation or use of federal vehicles, boats, and trailers when authorized.
• Develop and maintain cleaned datasets, analytical scripts, and code repositories containing predator diet composition, bioenergetics data, abundance indices, or related ecological information.
• Create fully documented, reproducible analytical workflows in reports, manuscripts, Git Hub, and other version-controlled repositories.
• Ensure data stewardship, methodological transparency, accessibility, QA/QC, and interactive use of research products by internal and external stakeholders.

• Advanced knowledge of quantitative ecology, trophic ecology, predator-prey modeling, fisheries science, oceanography, ecosystem dynamics, and scientific data synthesis.
• Strong quantitative skills in spatial-temporal modeling, ecological data analysis, statistical interpretation, and scientific visualization.
• Working proficiency with R, Git Hub, GIS, and other analytical, geospatial, or scientific programming tools.
• Experience organizing large ecological datasets and producing accessible codebases, documented workflows, and publication-ready analytical products.
• Familiarity with Pacific salmon predators, including birds, marine mammals, invasive fish, or other key West Coast predator guilds, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Pacific salmon ecology and the freshwater, estuarine, nearshore, and ocean habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries.
• Understanding of open-science concepts, version control, reproducibility, scientific repositories, and transparent data stewardship.
• Excellent technical writing, peer-reviewed publishing, presentation, and analytical briefing skills.
• Ability to manage dynamic workloads, maintain organization, meet timelines, work independently in the field, and collaborate within interdisciplinary scientific teams.

• Doctorate from an accredited institution in geomorphology, oceanography, hydrology, fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field.
• Five or more years of directly relevant experience; advanced-degree substitutions may be applied consistent with the PWS.
• Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative fisheries or ecological research, data synthesis, statistical or spatial modeling, and scientific publication.
• Experience supporting NOAA Fisheries, NWFSC, SWFSC, WCR, another NOAA program, or a comparable federal, tribal, academic, or marine research organization is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Pacific salmon, West Coast predation research, marine mammal or seabird ecology, invasive fish, bioenergetics, ocean observing systems, or ecosystem-based fisheries management is highly desirable.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, be able to perform field work in harsh conditions and around water, and satisfy federal Public Trust background investigation requirements.

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