Research Assistant/At-Sea Technician

Position Description

Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Inc. (CFF) is seeking a Research Assistant/At-Sea Technician (RA). The RA will work closely with CFF scientists on a wide range of projects focused on commercial fisheries. 

This position includes significant time at sea supporting research trips ranging from 1 to 12 days. Trips occur year-round, with the bulk of sea time expected between April and August each year. On some deployments, the RA will be the only CFF staff member aboard the vessel. Primary responsibilities may include coordinating with commercial fishing partners, annotation of underwater imagery, curating data and biological samples, performing equipment maintenance, and managing inventories. When not deployed at sea, the RA is expected to report to our office located in East Falmouth, MA. This is a six-month position with the possibility of an extension based on performance and available funding.

Specific Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting project leads with underwater image and video annotations
• Participating in research cruises for various CFF projects (minimum of 60 days at sea/year)
• Maintaining seagoing equipment and completing monthly inventories of gear and office supplies
• Coordinate and manage small-scale field research projects with minimal oversight  
• Assisting with the procurement of gear, equipment, and other project materials and supplies
• Assisting with efforts to outfit fishing vessels with sampling gear and data processing equipment
• Assisting project leads to design, refine, and implement customized and innovative survey tools, data collection methodologies, and gear technologies
• Assisting in the development and implementation of training curriculums, project materials, and guides for standard operating procedures
• Prepare and organize datasets for statistical analysis
• Creating outreach materials such as fact sheets, videos, presentation slides, and social media content
• Participating in weekly team and project/administrative meetings, as needed

Qualifications:

●   Minimum B.S. or B.A. in marine science, environmental science, natural resources, or fisheries science

●   Previous at-sea experience, with experience on commercial fishing vessels strongly preferred

●   Previous experience assisting in marine-related research projects

●   Ability to lift 50 lbs, bend, stretch, and stand for extended periods of time; including working in inclement weather

●   Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Benefits:

CFF offers a competitive benefits package and compensation commensurate with experience. 

Starting salary range: $56,000 to $65,000 per year.

Application:

Please submit cover letter and CV to contact@cfarm.org

The proposed start date for this position is September 1, 2026. 

https://www.coonamessettfarmfoundation.org/careers