Scientific Research and Technical Services Department

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline.

AIS is looking for a Sr. Sea Turtle Research Ecologist to lead preparation for field work and coordinate data collection for the Sea Turtle Ecology research program. This position is part of a contract opportunity we are currently bidding on.

Primary Function:

NOAA fisheries evaluate the status of sea turtle populations within the Greater Atlantic Region of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. This program assesses the current and anticipated population dynamics of these species, as well as their ecology, distribution, occurrence, health, and habitat usage.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead preparation for field work and de-staging
• Coordinate data collection for land-based or at-sea field research programs
• Take photos of species that are able to positively identify sea turtles and other marine species
• Interacting with live turtles or turtle carcasses. Lead necropsies and ensure proper high quality data collection.
• Record/edit data collected at sea and maintain databases and equipment
• Pursue, handle, collect physical measurements (i.e. carapace lengths and width), collect samples, and apply tags to live turtles. Be able to collect physical measurements, tag, and necropsy dead turtles. This includes collecting the following counts/surveys: epibiota removal, laparoscopy, cloacal lavage, cloacal, gastric lavage, measure, monitor vitals, photograph/video, blood, fecal material, scutes, skin, ultrasound, and weight
• Lead in small boat operations deployed from land or sea
• Contribute to the completion of project reports, including taking the lead responsibility.
• Provide database management services such as maintaining complex relational Oracle database, including entering new data.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on the candidates' depth of experience. This is a full-time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An advanced (PhD, Veterinary) degree or equivalent in marine ecology, conservation biology, quantitative ecology, or similar and at least three (3) years of experience successfully performing the tasks above, or plus
• Have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (including visual presentations) that may target a variety of audiences including technical, scientific, and the general public, as appropriate.
• Shall have all necessary medical clearance and required safety training certificates before research activities
• Shall have corrected 20/20 vision when position is a visual observer
• Shall have capability to work outside, including on a small boat, for periods of up to 12 hours at a time
• Be able to safely lift 40 lbs. on a rolling vessel
• Willingness and ability to work far from home (including far from land) for weeks at a time
• Meet the requirements listed under NOAA Small Boat Requirements if small boats are part of the research project.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Oracle, R, and R shiny is also required.
• Past experience working in offshore research activities
• Experience with necropsies, especially performing sea turtle necropsies
• Some experience with data management, analytical reporting, and environmental and biological data
  

Travel:

• Travel Estimated: 25%
  
  

Location:

• 166 Water St, Woods Hole, Ma, 02543
  
  

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please visit our Careers Page to submit the required information:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter detailing relevant experience.
3. 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number),

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please reach out to our Talent Team or call 508-990-9054.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Must be able to work in the U.S. * VEVRAA Federal Contractor * Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals * Equal Opportunity Employer