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 searching for a technician who will contribute to the Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) Program.

Primary Function:

The EcoMon Program aims to provide information on oceanography, lower-trophic levels and exploited species to a range of NOAA assessment products, including fishery and protected species stock assessments, integrated ecosystem assessments, and environmental impact assessments.

AIS is searching for a technician who will contribute to projects utilizing this archive of samples, and the associated data, to develop research products that document the life histories and population trends of individual species, and the interactions among multiple species.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the measurement of individual zooplankton size to examine changes in size over time, and analysis of energy content to document taxa responses to changing environmental conditions.
• Support ongoing fieldwork and lab-based work associated with understanding changes in zooplankton in the region.
• Sort plankton samples to remove zooplankton, larval fish, eggs and cephalopods.
• Identify, measure and quantify zooplankton. Measure body size of zooplankton. Training will be provided.
• Measure energy content of zooplankton using bomb calorimetry methods. Training will be provided.
• Compile data into databases.
• Participate in ongoing plankton monitoring program, including at sea collection of plankton samples, and shoreside organization and archiving of samples.
• Contribute to educational outreach programs including participating in lab tours and school visits.
• Attend and/or participate in conferences and training opportunities and other duties deemed helpful to the Branch.
• Contribute to a more organized and collaborative atmosphere.

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 full–time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, with coursework in marine biology, ecology, zoology or related disciplines
• Experience in the use of microscopes.
• Understanding of the use of identification keys to identify marine taxa.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following areas:
• Strong record keeping and organizational skills.
• Basic data entry and analysis, including some familiarity with common data manipulation and analysis software tools like Excel, Matlab or R.
• Communication both verbally and using written materials (including visual presentations)
• Independent worker with strong time management skills.
• Adaptability to quickly changing priorities and strict timelines.
• Attention to detail.
• Willingness to participate in research cruises of approximately two weeks in duration

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience performing scientific duties aboard research cruises.
• Experience utilizing performing zooplankton identification from dichotomous keys.

Travel:

• Up to 25% travel is anticipated in order to support research cruises.

Location:

• 28 Tarzwell Dr, Narragansett, RI 02882