Fishery Biologist 3- Sucker Research and Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Klamath Falls, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is hiring a full-time Fishery Biologist 3 to work closely with U.S. Geological Survey researchers at the Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS). The position serves as project lead for research on endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers in the Klamath Basin. The successful candidate will guide one or more projects from study design and field data collection through analysis and publication, using long-term capture-recapture data and an expanding acoustic telemetry program to support sucker recovery and water-management decisions. The role involves collaboration with field leads, partner agencies, tribes, and data managers, while allowing the candidate to develop research questions and, as time and station priorities allow, pursue new research directions and funding. Research opportunities include investigating fish movement, survival, habitat use, parasite burdens, predation avoidance, population relocation, and hatchery-driven supplementation. The position also contributes telemetry and capture-recapture expertise to fish passage and screening evaluations. The ideal candidate has experience leading or co-leading research projects through publication and can apply quantitative methods, including Bayesian and state-space modeling, to complex biological and movement data. The position is based at the KFFS and is anticipated to start January 4, 2027. Work is performed in an office setting, with moderate walking between workstations and carrying light loads. Employment is contingent on meeting federal data-system access and background-investigation requirements; the position also requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency maintained for at least three consecutive years. Oregon-based employment offers are contingent on providing and clearing a three-year Oregon motor vehicle record check.

Requirements

Successful completion of a full four-year course of study at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or higher, with a major in biological science, including at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
One year of specialized experience and a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in a field directly related to the position; an equivalent combination of education and experience may qualify, such as a master's degree in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field with additional specialized experience.
Experience leading or co-leading research projects from design through completion and publication; the posting describes the ideal candidate as having at least two 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.
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 with acoustic telemetry study design, tag deployment, receiver array maintenance, and analysis of detection data.
Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis of mark-recapture or movement datasets, including use of a Bayesian modeling framework such as JAGS, Stan, or NIMBLE.
Field experience with fish capture, tagging, and handling techniques.
Experience with PIT-tag or other mark-recapture technologies.
Valid driver's license.
Meet federal eligibility requirements for access to federal data systems.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) for a minimum of three consecutive years.
Successfully complete a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
For positions located in Oregon, provide and clear a three-year Oregon Motor Vehicle Record check; the selected candidate is responsible for associated DMV fees.
Submit a resume of no more than six pages, a cover letter explaining interest and relevant alignment, and three completed product examples with summaries describing the candidate's role and each product's management relevance.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with fish passage and screening issues as they relate to fish movement and survival.
Background in salmonid research.
Experience coding in R or Python for data management and analysis.
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 application to long-term monitoring programs.
Demonstrated experience securing research funding, including writing competitive grant proposals, developing project budgets, and identifying and pursuing federal, state, and private funding opportunities.

Responsibilities

Lead or co-lead 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.
Perform complex tests and procedures using specialized methods or techniques.
Identify unusual entities, occurrences, or investigative outcomes relevant to the program.
Modify or adapt established protocols and procedures in response to study findings; revise methods to improve or extend studies.
Plan studies that make significant departures from previous approaches; recommend and approve studies.
Prepare briefing documents and coordinate and communicate with staff and collaborators.
Prepare and present technical studies and reports, and prepare reports and publications of findings.
Contribute telemetry and capture-recapture expertise to fish passage and screening evaluations.
Assist with writing contract proposals and progress reports.
Assist in developing contract specifications, task statements, quality-of-work criteria, and other specifications.
Monitor project budget expenses, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.
Collaborate with USGS researchers, field leads, partner agencies, tribes, and cooperators on research relevant to sucker recovery and water management.
Develop research questions and pursue additional funding for research directions as time and station priorities allow.