Description

Lynker is seeking to hire an Analytical Chemist to support an upcoming contract with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) Environmental and Fisheries Science Division Environmental Chemistry Program (ECP). Work will be conducted on-site at the NWFSC office in Seattle, Washington. This position is anticipated to begin April 1, 2022 and extend for 12 months. The hiring of positions is contingent on receiving the award for the contract.

NOAA requires contractor support within the Environmental Chemistry (EC) Program of the Environmental and Fisheries Science (EFS) Division. The EC program conducts innovative research on the chemical processes that affect the health and ecology of aquatic animals, including the monitoring of man-made contaminants and naturally occurring components in marine foodwebs. These activities primarily support NOAA Fisheries objectives for Protected Resources, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Fisheries Ecosystem-based Management, and for advancement of Science and Technology.

The Analytical Chemist will conduct laboratory analyses of killer whale and prey tissues using bulk and compound specific stable isotopes, perform statistical analyses of this data, deliver updates of their work to the NMFS Project Leader on a weekly basis, present findings of this research to relevant management agencies and at scientific conferences, and produce scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

The Analytical Chemist duties include, but are not limited to:

• Use bulk and compound specific stable isotope analyses to quantify isotopic fractionation between prey tissues and killer whale fecal matter, breath, and blood, collected as part of a controlled feeding study on captive killer whales.
• Quantify isotopic turnover time in each killer whale tissue.
• Characterize recent and long-term diet composition and trophic position of Southern Resident killer whales.
• Correctly process tissues and standards for isotope analysis and ensure proper storage of samples.
• Correctly implement mathematical relationships to estimate isotopic fractionation, isotope turnover time, diet composition, and trophic position.
• Track consumables, maintain equipment, and maintain safe lab space.
• Track project progression.
• Assist ECP colleagues with field and/or lab work.

Requirements

Minimum required qualifications include:

• B.Sc. degree in analytical chemistry or closely related field of study from an accredited college or university. (Advanced degrees strongly preferred)
• At least two (2) years of analytical chemistry experience.

Additional required qualifications include:

• Expertise with stable isotope analysis especially compound specific stable isotope analysis.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, coding in R, application of mixing models.
• Demonstrated experience working with large data sets.
• A documented product such as authorship of a peer-reviewed publication and/or report.
• Demonstrated ability to give oral presentations such as conference presentations (oral and/or poster) or other public presentations.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• At least one (1) year of experience using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry for stable isotope analyses.
• At least one (1) year of experience using R statistical software.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing small business specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers’ scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries and benefits, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions.

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.