Fish Contaminant Biologist

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 Fish Contaminant Biologist to assist in the planning of and preparations for ecotoxicological laboratory studies with fitness-related biological endpoints in support of the Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division (EAD).

Primary Function:

The EAD supports research themes including the processes linking spatial and temporal patterns in climate with regional and local responses of species and their habitats. Along the Atlantic Coast, these habitats are commonly adjacent to urban and industrial centers where their waste makes their way to these productive yet sensitive habitats. Many fishes and endangered species use these same habitats for reproduction or nursery zones. Studies of the contaminant effects on fish and their early life-stages are investigating their effects as well as identifying potential bioindicators of legacy effects later in life. To that end, the EAD performs studies of contaminant effects on finfish of ecological and economical import to these systems. Support is needed to systematically assess the contaminant effects in LMRs through replicated laboratory experiments. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assists in the planning of and preparations for ecotoxicological laboratory studies with fitness-related biological endpoints.


• Maintains the necessary cultures and distributes live, frozen, and/or dry feeds for study subjects (typically finfish) maintained prior to, during, and after experiments.


• Monitors and maintains fish culture systems with requisite sampling of water and other system parameters.


• Collects and processes image, video, and/or body component samples related to these studies.


• Runs physiological and bioenergetics assays of test subjects.


• Enters, organizes, and summarizes data collected along with the metadata that describes data and how these were collected.


• Proposes and implements experimental designs with live aquatic animals appropriate to test study hypotheses.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on the 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:

• Sc. in Biology, Marine Science or related fields or 1 year of working experience directly related to the tasks outlined herein.


• Ability to enter, organize, summarize, and document data collection; to perform analytical and elementary statistical software on collected data, deduce results, and communicate research findings.


• Skilled in organizing, tracking, and documenting research activities; support tasks (supply needs and expenditures); and assisting NOAA personnel in a multi-tasking environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with methods and equipment for evaluating effects in embryos, larvae, and young juveniles of finfish; the experimental manipulations of their experimental habitats (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen); and response variable protocols (image data collection, live animal handling and preservation) for research studies of marine and estuarine finfish and shellfish.


• Experience with spawning, husbandry, and general maintenance of marine finfish and shellfish adults and early life-stages in a captive, culture-based environment.

Travel:

• Domestic and international travel may be required as follows: attendance at regional, national and international stock assessment related meetings, project-related workshops and working group meetings.

Location:

• 78 Magruder Road, Highlands NJ 07732

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please visit our Careers Page to submit the required information:

1. Resume


2. Cover letter detailing relevant experience.


3. 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number) 

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please reach out to our Talent Team or call 508-990-9054.

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