Job Description
Job Description
*US Citizenship Required
*Onsite Position in Woods Hole, MA or Narragansett, RI
*Proposal Effort, Position is Subject to Contract Award
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Think Tank is seeking a Stock Assessment Developer Level II to support NOAA in conducting stock assessments for 50+ marine finfish and invertebrate stocks. These assessments are essential to providing reliable, science-based advice to fishery management partners and ensuring sustainable fisheries.
The position involves working on both Research Track Assessments-which explore new models, data, and methodologies-and Management Track Assessments, which provide routine, timely updates using vetted methods. The successful candidate will analyze a wide range of fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data, participate in assessment working groups, contribute to peer review processes, and help deliver critical science advice.
Field opportunities are also available, including at-sea survey support, habitat mapping, and biological sample collection.
RESPONSBILITIES:
- Develop stock assessment plans that meet Terms of Reference.
- Present assessment plans to oversight panels and incorporate feedback.
- Analyze fisheries data, including:
- Commercial and recreational landings/discards.
- Fishery-independent surveys.
- Biological data (age, growth, reproduction, stock ID, etc.).
- Prepare draft working papers summarizing data, analyses, and model outputs with uncertainty estimates.
- Participate in stock assessment working groups; present results and provide feedback on peer products.
- Present stock assessment results to peer review panels and respond to technical questions.
- Draft final stock assessment reports incorporating peer review recommendations.
- Support delivery of science advice for fisheries management decisions.
- Conduct at-sea survey activities as needed (survey design, HabCam calibration, image processing, biological sample prep and evaluation).
REQUIREMENTS:
- Graduate degree in fisheries science, quantitative ecology, or related field OR Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. Experience with fish/invertebrate population models (VPA, ASAP, Stock Syntehsis, etc.)
- Experience analyzing and interpreting fisheries datasets.
- Proficiency with stock assessment models (e.g., VPA, ASAP, Stock Synthesis).
- Experience presenting technical results to diverse audiences.
- Strong project management skills for complex scientific programs.
- Ability to coordinate and lead multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and visual).
- Ability to work independently with strong time management.
- Adaptability to shifting priorities and new challenges.
- High attention to detail and commitment to scientific rigor.