Plankton Taxonomist

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 looking for a Plankton Taxonomist to support NOAA SEFSC PEMD Southeast Fishery-Independent Survey (SEFIS) & Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP).

Primary Function:

The taxonomist identifies marine fish larvae and invertebrate zooplankton collected in the Gulf of America to the lowest practical taxonomic level, processes plankton samples, and provides verified identifications and data to support SEDAR and other stock assessment forums. Vessel work may be required on a limited basis. This position is contingent upon contract award and available funding.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Perform microscopic morphometric/meristic identification of marine fish larvae to the lowest practical taxonomic level (Family, Genus, or Species); verify previously identified larval specimens.
• Use microscope-digital imaging systems to image, identify, enumerate, and measure larval fish; conduct morphometric and shape analyses on imaged specimens.
• Conduct larval fish life history analyses as needed, including otolith removal, larval ageing, and gut content analysis.
• Maintain current knowledge of plankton taxonomy and systematics; participate in ichthyoplankton workshops and assist in training staff in larval fish taxonomy.
• Prepare specimens for molecular identification/DNA barcoding to verify ambiguous morphological identifications.
• Process plankton samples using standard methods: splitting and aliquoting, displacement volume measurement, and manual sorting for fish larvae and invertebrate zooplankton.
• Identify marine invertebrate zooplankton to higher-level classifications (e.g., Order); scan and analyze zooplankton with benchtop imaging systems (e.g., Zooscan) and build reference libraries to train AI-assisted taxonomic validation platforms.
• Track, maintain, and curate archived plankton samples; prepare biological samples for ground and air shipping using hazardous materials (dry ice, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, formalin).
• Perform plankton survey, ichthyoplankton, and zooplankton data entry, edits, and updates; provide verified identifications and data to support SEDARs under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and update larval fish databases.
• Coordinate plankton data exchanges between the Trawl and Plankton Branch and its SEAMAP and ZSiOP partners; contribute to proposals, data summaries, manuscripts, technical reports, and presentations per SEFSC procedures.
• Support other Trawl and Plankton Branch, PEMD, and SEFSC activities, including serving as a Watch Stander on surveys, and participate in public outreach and scientific meetings as needed.

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:

• MS Degree in Marine Science or a related field plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or BS Degree in Marine Science or a related field plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
• Expertise in marine fish systematics, ontogeny, and larval morphology; prior experience in larval fish identification.
• Proficiency in using primary literature sources and regional taxonomic atlases.
• Experience working with large data sets.
• Capable of writing reports at the college level and making oral presentations.
• Computer literate and experienced with common word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.
• Driver's license to operate government vehicles.
• Sea-going contractors on OMAO NOAA ships must submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (NOAA Form 57-10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NOAA Form NF 57-10-02) annually/biennially (age-dependent) and hold a current tetanus vaccine (once every 10 years).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in marine zooplankton identification.
• Knowledge of statistical treatment of marine plankton and oceanographic data.
• Proficiency with EcoTaxa or similar AI-assisted taxonomic validation platforms.
• Experience with ImageJ or other microscope imaging software.
• Experience with software used for database management (Excel, Access, SQL); familiarity with R for biological data graphing, synthesis, and analysis is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of techniques and instrumentation (e.g., Zooscan, Flowcam) used to gather digitized data on marine plankton specimens.
• Experience with molecular methods to prepare samples for species identification (tissue sampling, DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing).

Travel:

• May be required to work on NOAA Ships, charter vessels, and/or small boats, and domestic or international travel may be required for or in support of at-sea surveys, project-related workshops, and working group meetings.

Location:

• 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567 (SEFSC Laboratory)

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • Equal Opportunity Employer