Sr. Ichthyoplankton Ecologist

AIS•La Jolla, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is seeking a Sr. Ichthyoplankton Ecologist to support the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center. This role involves laboratory work such as sorting and identifying fish and zooplankton samples, participating in at-sea sample collection during surveys, and contributing to data analysis and scientific reporting for stock assessments and Integrated Ecosystem Assessments.

Requirements

PhD with prior experience serving as Chief Scientist on research cruises or Master's degree plus two (2) years of relevant experience.
Experience using a microscope to sort fish eggs, larvae, and paralarval cephalopods from plankton samples.
Experience using a microscope and ocular micrometer to make standard measurements.
Experience identifying fish eggs and larvae, preferably of target coastal pelagic species (Northern Anchovy, Pacific Sardine, Pacific Hake, Jack Mackerel, Pacific Mackerel).
Experience in plankton sample collection and processing, preferably using standard CalCOFI protocols (Kramer et al. 1972, NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ-370).
Experience processing fish from trawl surveys (length/weight measurements, otolith and tissue collection).
Ability to complete required medical clearances for field work.
Must be able to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

Experience sorting spiny lobster phyllosoma larvae from plankton samples.
Experience following SWFSC Fisheries Resources Division protocols including identification of target coastal pelagic species (Northern Anchovy, Pacific Mackerel, Jack Mackerel, market squid).
Experience in rearing planktonic fish eggs under controlled conditions.

Responsibilities

Serve as Chief Scientist on NOAA-led CalCOFI surveys, including planning station activities, communicating with the ship's bridge, liaising between ship crew, scientific staff, and Principal Investigators, coordinating ship onloading/offloading, and scheduling staff for shifts.
Sort samples in the laboratory, identify target taxa, count all sorted specimens, measure lengths of key taxa, and record data on standard forms.
Label sorted samples and boxes according to standard protocols.
Perform data analyses and literature reviews in preparation of scientific manuscripts.
Complete and preserve sample collection data sheets and identification/count databases following standard protocols.
Collect trawl catch compositions and demographic data for target species per cruise-specific protocols.
Work aboard research vessels to deploy and recover oceanographic equipment (CTD rosettes, plankton nets) and process samples during CalCOFI and fishery resource assessment surveys.
Submit monthly progress reports covering accomplishments, issues encountered, significant outcomes, action items, and recommendations.