Data Scientist

We are currently recruiting for a Data Scientist to assist the Ecosystems Survey Branch (ESB) by helping construct ML/AI tools to improve the efficiency, quality, and availability of advanced technology survey data. Data collected by the Northeast Fisheries’ Science Center’s ESB are one of the primary tools used to understand population trends and characteristics of managed marine resources, and determine how and why ecosystems have changed over time. Advanced technology has been leveraged to sample marine ecosystems to inform assessment and management of marine resources. One such tool includes optical (e.g. camera) surveys. The ESB has conducted optical surveys of the sea floor to quantify Atlantic sea scallops and other ecosystem features. The vast amount of data and time needed for manually annotating images necessitate machine learning or artificial intelligence (ML/AI) tools be developed for processing said data for fisheries management applications.

This will be a full-time position. Work will be performed on-site at a Northeast Fisheries Science Center, as well as aboard research vessels in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, or remotely in coordination with the COR and Project Lead. The contract has a one-year base period and will have up to three (3) 12-month option periods.

Duties:

• Build ML/AI models for marine resources and species of the Northeast U.S. Shelf from NEFSC advanced technology data.
• Construct pathways and workflows for applying developed models, pipelines, data storage and processing for reproducibility and replicability.
• Manage large databases using both land-based servers and cloud storage.
• Statistically analyze machine learning results to understand model uncertainties and improve our ecological understanding of marine resources.
• Produce documentation of protocols for data collection, data auditing, and data analyses.
• Produce documentation and conduct data review and analysis from associate computer programming and analyses.
• Produce publications of scientific methods and findings in peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical documents to support fisheries science machine learning, stock assessments, and fisheries management.
• Coordinate and collaborate with researchers and data users in multiple groups at the NEFSC, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), and other FMCs, including data sharing, analysis, and documentation.
• Develop materials and present research at scientific conferences and stock assessment and other technical meetings, to fisheries managers, and at outreach events.
• Assist with the development of project reports for NEFSC, NOAA HQ, Fisheries Management Councils, Peer-Review Panels, and others.
• Assist in developing technical reports and proposals for competitive funding.
• Participate in NEFSC research projects and at-sea surveys as time permits and as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with six (6) years’ experience, or Master’s degree with four (4) years’ experience, or PhD with one (1) year experience; degree and experience must be directly related to the individual requirement.
• Experience analyzing large data sets.
• Extensive experience with identifying, interpreting, analyzing, and applying a range of established approaches and solutions to tests, problems, or issues.
• Experience writing reports or scientific publications.
• Current MS Office and Google Workspace skills.
• Expertise with PL/SQL, R, C, Python, Linux, VIAME, Terraform, and/or other programming languages.
• Hold a valid driver’s license with the ability to operate a Federal motor vehicle.

Compensation:

Salary range is $70,000 – $85,000 annually, dependent upon experience.

EOE Statement:

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace culture to attract the best talent and allow each member of our team to achieve their full potential and maximum productivity. Furthermore, Saltwater Inc. highly encourages qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply for positions for which they are qualified and to notify us if there are any needs for accommodation throughout the application process and/or upon hire.

How to Apply:

Only qualified applicants with the requisite experience need to apply. We will honor all requests for application confidentiality. Apply online through the link below.