Fishery Biologist 3- Sucker Research and Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Klamath Falls, OR

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a Fishery Biologist 3 to work closely with U.S. Geological Survey researchers at the Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS), serving as project lead for research on endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers. KFFS studies rare and imperiled fish in the Klamath Basin to inform resource-use decisions in a sensitive arid ecosystem. Its long-term research includes more than two decades of individual-fish tracking through PIT-tag capture-recapture, as well as an expanding acoustic telemetry program examining seasonal movement, survival, and habitat use. These data inform sucker recovery actions and water-management decisions. The successful candidate will lead or co-lead research projects from study design and field data collection through analysis and publication, collaborate with field leads, partner agencies, tribes, and data managers, and translate ecological findings into actionable information for managers. Research opportunities may include parasite reduction, predator avoidance, fish relocation, and evaluation of hatchery-driven supplementation. The position allows the candidate to develop research questions and pursue additional funding for topics of interest as time and station priorities permit. The role includes complex biological and movement-data analysis, including Bayesian and state-space modeling; adapting and improving protocols; preparing technical studies, reports, proposals, and progress reports; contributing expertise to fish passage and screening evaluations; and managing project budgets, purchasing, and equipment inventories. The position is full-time and benefits-eligible, with an anticipated start date of January 4, 2027.

Requirements

Successful completion of a four-year college or university course of study leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, with a biological science major that includes at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in a field directly related to the position, plus at least 1 year of specialized experience; an equivalent combination may qualify, such as a master's degree in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field with additional specialized experience.
The ideal candidate has 2 or more years of work experience in addition to a Ph.D. or postdoctoral experience.
Knowledge of fishery biology theories, principles, and methods.
Ability to define problems, conduct background research, develop and execute project plans, organize and evaluate results, and prepare reports and publications.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to apply quantitative and statistical methods to complex ecological datasets, including Bayesian modeling for survival, movement, or population analysis.
Ability to design and adapt experimental protocols to address evolving management questions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with scientific and management audiences.
Ability to build and sustain productive working relationships with partner agencies, tribes, and cooperators.
Experience designing acoustic telemetry studies, deploying tags, maintaining receiver arrays, and analyzing detection data.
Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis of mark-recapture or movement datasets, including familiarity with Bayesian modeling frameworks such as JAGS, Stan, or NIMBLE.
Field experience with fish capture, tagging, and handling.
Experience with PIT-tag or other mark-recapture technologies.
Experience coding in R or Python for data management and analysis.
Demonstrated experience securing research funding, including writing competitive grant proposals, developing project budgets, and identifying and pursuing federal, state, and private funding opportunities.
To access and use federal data systems, must meet federal eligibility requirements and be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has maintained that status for at least three consecutive years.
Must successfully complete a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
For the Oregon position, must provide a 3-Year Oregon Motor Vehicle Record and clear an MVR check; the selected candidate is responsible for associated DMV fees.
Submit a resume of no more than 6 pages, a cover letter explaining interest and fit for the position and research program, and three examples of completed data products, technical reports, or peer-reviewed articles accompanied by a brief summary of each product and the candidate's role and its management relevance.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with fish passage and screening issues as they relate to fish movement and survival.
Background in salmonid research.
Ability to use AI tools to support coding, analysis, or writing workflows.
Knowledge of budget development and project management practices.
Knowledge of acoustic telemetry and/or PIT-tag technologies and their use in long-term monitoring programs.
Ability to code in R or Python or similar languages for data management and analysis.

Responsibilities

Lead or co-lead sucker research projects from study design and field data collection through analysis and publication.
Analyze and interpret complex biological and movement data, including Bayesian and state-space modeling.
Design, adapt, and improve experimental protocols and study methods in response to findings and evolving management questions.
Recognize unusual or diverse findings relevant to the research program and recommend or approve studies.
Coordinate and communicate with staff, field leads, partner agencies, tribes, and other cooperators.
Prepare and present technical studies, reports, and briefing materials.
Contribute telemetry and capture-recapture expertise to fish passage and screening evaluations.
Assist with contract proposals and progress reports, and help develop contract specifications, task statements, and quality criteria.
Monitor project budget expenses, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.
Pursue research questions using long-term PIT-tag and acoustic telemetry datasets to support sucker recovery and water-management decisions.
Help develop and secure additional funding for research questions, as time and station priorities allow.