About this role
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 Fish Nutrition Scientist to support the Fish Feed and Nutrition Team at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC).
Primary Function:
This position supports two lines of research under a labor-hour; First, sablefish broodstock nutrition research at the Manchester Research Station evaluates the effects of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) supplementation on plasma lipids, plasma sex steroids, and stage of sexual maturity in male and female sablefish broodstock, comparing a commercial marine production feed against the same feed enriched with a high-ARA oil. Second, seaweed nutritional profiling applies standard AOAC proximate analyses to measure protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content in cultured seaweed samples collected from West Coast and Alaska producers.
Duties/Responsibilities:
• Assist NWFSC scientists at all sablefish broodstock sampling events, including plasma chemistry blood draws, ultrasound imaging and scoring, and egg collection at spawning.
• Assist in maintaining fish culture systems and fish care, including feeding and monitoring system water quality; occasional daily feedings and weekend feedings are required for early-stage marine fish.
• Participate in up to two one-day fish collection trips to acquire wild broodstock sablefish for nutrition studies.
• Chemically analyze fish egg, feed, and seaweed samples in the NWFSC analytical laboratories using AOAC proximate methods: protein (Dumas method, LECO TruMac), crude fat (Randall/Soxtec extraction), ash (incineration at 550C), and moisture.
• Statistically evaluate results using appropriate methods, including linear and non-linear regression, ANOVA, and Fisher’s exact test, and prepare reports summarizing results.
• Summarize experimental data in tables and figures suitable for presentation at a World Aquaculture Society meeting by August 1 of each contract year and participate in writing publications for peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on candidates’ depth of experience. This is a part–time position. Weekend and off-hours support is required to conduct feedings and monitor fish health.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Oceanography.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience conducting fisheries research, including a minimum of 5 years conducting aquaculture-specific research.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and securing grant proposals, executing research studies, preparing research results for publication, and presenting at scientific conferences.
• Demonstrated fish feed and nutrition research knowledge, including: execution of fish nutrition or alternative feeds studies; knowledge of seaweed ingredients showing promise in alternative marine fish feeds; knowledge of National Research Council guidelines for the humane care of aquatic laboratory animals; and presentation of feeds and nutrition research results at a World Aquaculture Society conference.
• Ability to confer with scientists, engineers, and researchers to analyze research, interpret analytical results, and write publishable technical reports, including co-authorship on scientific and trade publications in subject areas beyond the contractor’s personal expertise.
• Ability to pass a public trust background investigation, cleared prior to beginning performance.
Travel:
• Domestic travel anticipated: Up to two one-day fish collection trips to acquire live broodstock sablefish for nutrition studies.
Location:
• 2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112 (Northwest Fisheries Science Center).
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