OPS Assistant Research Scientist - 77909047
About The Position
This position is with the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Marine Mammal Research and Rescue program. To support conservation decisions, the program collects a wide range of biological and environmental data including mortalities and rescues, photo-identification, telemetry, aerial surveys, genetics, behavior, and habitat characteristics, including water temperature. The successful candidate will participate within analytical research teams that focus on advancing analytical work, designing and conducting rigorous statistical assessments of marine mammal populations with focus on estimating demographic rates, population trajectories, and risk assessments. The selected candidate will provide analytical and data management support for section projects. They will conduct statistical analyses and develop mathematical, spatial, and risk assessment models of marine mammal populations and their habitat in collaboration with other investigators within and external to FWRI, using available databases or obtaining additional data as necessary. The selected candidate will work closely with program scientists to help develop and parameterize quantitative ecological models to provide decision-support to wildlife managers. They may evaluate and recommend appropriate changes to data collection, data management, and analytical methods to reduce sampling bias, increase reliability, and increase efficiency. Help to oversee key workflows and data management, quantitative tools, and documentation. When appropriate analytical research findings may lead to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, correspondence, or meeting presentations.
Requirements
- 7 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and three years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics; or A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and two years of professional experience as described above; or A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics can substitute for the required experience.
- Satisfactory Level 1 background check.
- Proficient with Excel, Access, and SQL.
- Proficiency in a modern statistical programming language such as R or Python is required.
- Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data and utilize problem-solving techniques is required.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to write technical reports and agency correspondence clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work independently and on teams.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public, and stakeholders.
- Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines, high attention to detail.
Nice To Haves
- A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural or quantitative sciences and two years of professional experience as described above; or A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural or quantitative sciences.
- Previous work involving population models, including those with Bayesian framework, and hierarchical/N-mixture and integrated population models.
- Applicants with a Ph.D. and a strong background in scientific quantitative analyses may be given preference.
- Experience designing or analyzing data from monitoring programs such as with aerial surveys, genetics, or other population survey techniques and performing scientific quantitative analysis such as linear models, generalized linear models, mixed effect (hierarchical) models, and nonparametric models is preferred.
- Experience with ESRI Survey123, ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Pro is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Participate within analytical research teams that focus on advancing analytical work, designing and conducting rigorous statistical assessments of marine mammal populations with focus on estimating demographic rates, population trajectories, and risk assessments.
- Provide analytical and data management support for section projects.
- Conduct statistical analyses and develop mathematical, spatial, and risk assessment models of marine mammal populations and their habitat in collaboration with other investigators within and external to FWRI, using available databases or obtaining additional data as necessary.
- Work closely with program scientists to help develop and parameterize quantitative ecological models to provide decision-support to wildlife managers.
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate changes to data collection, data management, and analytical methods to reduce sampling bias, increase reliability, and increase efficiency.
- Oversee key workflows and data management, quantitative tools, and documentation.
- Prepare peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, correspondence, or meeting presentations based on analytical research findings.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health coverage
- Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
- OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan
- On the Job Trainings
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
